ecause they are foolish, without inquiring whether it will do good or
harm; the _satire_ is plainly uttered; the _sarcasm_ is covert.

* * * * *

BARBAROUS.

Synonyms:

atrocious, brutal, merciless, uncivilized,
barbarian, cruel, rude, uncouth,
barbaric, inhuman, savage, untamed.

Whatever is not civilized is _barbarian_; _barbaric_ indicates rude
magnificence, uncultured richness; as, _barbaric_ splendor, a _barbaric_
melody. _Barbarous_ refers to the worst side of _barbarian_ life, and to
revolting acts, especially of cruelty, such as a civilized man would not
be expected to do; as, a _barbarous_ deed. We may, however, say
_barbarous_ nations, _barbarous_ tribes, without implying anything more
than want of civilization and culture. _Savage_ is more distinctly
bloodthirsty than _barbarous_. In this sense we speak of a _savage_
beast and of _barbarous_ usage.

Antonyms:

civilized, cultured, elegant, humane, polite, tender,
courtly, delicate, graceful, nice, refined, urbane.

* * * * *

BARRIER.

Synonyms:

bar, bulwark, obstruction, rampart,
barricade, hindrance, parapet, restraint,
breastwork, obstacle, prohibition, restriction.

A _bar_ is something that is or may be firmly fixed, ordinarily with
intent to prevent entrance or egress; as, the _bars_ of a prison cell;
the _bars_ of a wood-lot. A _barrier_ obstructs, but is not necessarily
impassable. _Barrier_ is used of objects more extensive than those to
which _bar_ is ordinarily applied. A mountain range may be a _barrier_
to exploration; but a mass of sand across the entrance to a harbor is
called a _bar_. Discovered falsehood is a _bar_ to confidence.
_Barricade_ has become practically a technical name for an improvised
street fortification, and, unless in some way modified, is usually so
understood. A _parapet_ is a low or breast-high wall, as about the edge
of a roof, terrace, etc., especially, in military use, such a wall for
the protection of troops; a _rampart_ is the embankment surrounding a
fort, on which the _parapet_ is raised; the word _rampart_ is often used
as including the _parapet_. _Bulwark_ is a general word for any
defensive wall or _rampart_; its only technical use at present is in
nautical language, where it signifies the raised side of a ship above
the upper deck, topped by the rail. Compare