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Synonyms for barnacle

Grammar : Noun
Spell : bahr-nuh-kuh l
Phonetic Transcription : ˈbɑr nə kəl

Définition of barnacle

Origin :
  • early 13c., "species of wild goose;" as a type of "shellfish," first recorded 1580s. Often derived from a Celtic source (cf. Breton bernik, a kind of shellfish), but the application to the goose predates that of the shellfish in English. The goose nests in the Arctic in summer and returns to Europe in the winter, hence the mystery surrounding its reproduction. It was believed in ancient superstition to hatch from barnacle's shell, possibly because the crustacean's feathery stalks resemble goose down. The scientific name of the crustacean, Cirripedes, is from Greek cirri "curls of hair" + pedes "feet."
  • noun parasite
Example sentences :
  • My father's not in the way, and won't be in the way to-day,' said Barnacle Junior.
  • Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens
  • This dashing young Barnacle, in a word, was likely to become a statesman, and to make a figure.
  • Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens
  • The Barnacle family had for some time helped to administer the Circumlocution Office.
  • Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens
  • You haven't got any appointment, you know,' said Barnacle Junior.
  • Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens
  • You stick to us in a devil of a manner,' Said Barnacle junior, looking over his shoulder.
  • Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens
  • The father of that father who married a Barnacle, married a Joddleby.
  • Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens
  • The agreeable young Barnacle, and Bar, were the talkers of the party.
  • Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens
  • This light in hand young Barnacle knew perfectly that it was not.
  • Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens
  • According to others, the barnacle geese could both run and fly.
  • Extract from : « Chatterbox, 1906 » by Various
  • He is, so to speak, like a barnacle on a rock in an ocean of conversation.
  • Extract from : « The Perfect Gentleman » by Ralph Bergengren

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019