dictionary help| barber | medical dictionary |
One whose occupation it is to shave or trim the beard, and to cut and dress the hair of his patrons. Barber's itch. See Itch.
Formerly the barber practiced some offices of surgery, such as letting blood and pulling teeth. Hence such terms as barber surgeon (old form barber chirurgeon), barber surgery, etc.
Origin: OE. Barbour, OF. Barbeor, F. Barbier, as if fr. An assumed L. Barbator, fr. Barba beard. See 1st Barb.
(01 Mar 1998)
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