A barber is a person who cuts or trims hair, shaves or grooms beards, and provides other grooming services for men. The profession of barbering is an ancient one, and barbers have been around for centuries. In this article, we will explore the definition, meaning, and origin of the word barber, as well as its associations, synonyms, and antonyms.
Definitions
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a barber is “a person whose business is cutting men’s hair, shaving their beards, and performing other grooming services.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines a barber as “a person whose occupation is to cut and dress men’s hair, shave them, and trim their beards.” In short, a barber is someone who provides grooming services for men.
Origin
The word barber comes from the Latin word barba, which means beard. The profession of barbering can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where barbers were highly respected members of society. In medieval Europe, barbers performed a variety of tasks, including bloodletting, dentistry, and surgery, in addition to haircuts and shaves.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of the word barber is consistent across different dictionaries. It refers to a person who provides grooming services for men, including haircuts, shaves, and beard trims.
Associations
The profession of barbering is often associated with masculinity, as it involves grooming services for men. Barbershops are also associated with a sense of community, as they are often gathering places for men to socialize and catch up with each other.
Synonyms
Synonyms for barber include hairdresser, stylist, groomer, and coiffeur.
Antonyms
Antonyms for barber include customer and client, as these are the people who receive grooming services from a barber.
The same root words
The word barber shares its root word barba with other words related to facial hair, such as beard and mustache.
Example Sentences
- I need to go to the barber to get a haircut.
- The barber trimmed my beard and gave me a close shave.
- The barbershop is a great place to catch up with friends while getting a haircut.
- My barber is really skilled at giving me the exact haircut I want.
- I always feel refreshed after a visit to the barber.