Meaning
Relating to people, countries, or customs perceived as uncivilized or inferior.
Etymology
Origin: Middle English
Etymology tree Ancient Greek βάρβαρος (bárbaros)bor. Latin barbarus Proto-Indo-European *-(i)yós Proto-Italic *-ijos Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Latin -ius Latin -ia Medieval Latin barbaria Medieval Latin barbarinusbor. Middle English barbarian English barbarian From Middle English barbarian, borrowed from Medieval Latin barbarinus (“Berber, pagan, foreigner”), from Latin barbaria (“foreign country”), from barbarus (“foreigner, savage”), from Ancient Greek βάρβαρος (bárbaros, “foreign, non-Greek, strange”), possibly onomatopoeic (mimicking foreign languages, akin to English blah blah). Cognate to Sanskrit बर्बर (barbara, “barbarian, non-Aryan, stammering, blockhead”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 9 recorded puzzles: