barbarous

English

Etymology

From Latin barbarus (“foreigner, savage”), from Ancient Greek βάρβαρος (barbaros, “foreign, strange”).

Alternative forms

• (obsolete) barbarouse

Pronunciation

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Adjective

barbarous (comparative more barbarous, superlative most barbarous)

1. (said of language) Not classical or pure.
2. uncivilized, uncultured
3. Like a barbarian, especially in sound; noisy, dissonant.

   I did but prompt the age to quit their cloggs

   By the known rules of antient libertie,

   When strait a barbarous noise environs me

   Of Owles and Cuckoes, Asses, Apes and Doggs - I did but prompt the age to quit their cloggs, John Milton (1673)

Derived terms

• barbarously
• barbarousness

Related terms

• barbarian
• barbaric

Translations

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Translations to be checked

Swahili: shenzi