Barbedness

/ˈbɑrbɪdnəs/ noun

Definition

The quality or state of being barbed; the condition of having barbs or sharp projections.

Etymology

From 'barbed' (adjective) + '-ness' noun suffix. 'Barbed' comes from 'barb' (a sharp projection), which derives from Latin 'barba' (beard), because barbs were thought to resemble beard bristles standing out from a surface.

Kelly Says

The word 'barbedness' is rarely used, but it perfectly captures something important: it's the whole reason barbed wire revolutionized ranching—the specific quality of having multiple sharp points made cattle control possible where smooth wire fences would have failed!

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