A tiny barb or small branch, especially one of the small filaments that branch off the main barb of a feather.
From Late Latin 'barbula,' diminutive of 'barba.' Used scientifically to describe the fine structure of feathers and other organisms.
Every feather is a masterpiece of engineering—barbules are so small you need a microscope to see them, but they're what makes feathers waterproof and perfect for flight!
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