WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Bar"ri*er
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [OE. barrere, barere, F. barri?re, fr. barre bar. See Bar, n.]
Definition : 1. (Fort.)

Defn: A carpentry obstruction, stockade, or other obstacle made in a passage in order to stop an enemy.

2. A fortress or fortified town, on the frontier of a country, commanding an avenue of approach.

3. pl.

Defn: A fence or railing to mark the limits of a place, or to keep back a crowd. No sooner were the barriers opened, than he paced into the lists. Sir W. Scott.

4. An any obstruction; anything which hinders approach or attack. "Constitutional barriers." Hopkinson.

5. Any limit or boundary; a line of separation. 'Twixt that [instinct] and reason, what a nice barrier ! Pope. Barrier gate, a heavy gate to close the opening through a barrier. -- Barrier reef, a form of coral reef which runs in the general direction of the shore, and incloses a lagoon channel more or less extensive. -- To fight at barriers, to fight with a barrier between, as a martial exercise. [Obs.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913