01 n. A carpentry obstruction, stockade, or other obstacle made in a passage in order to stop an enemy.
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1.
A carpentry obstruction, stockade, or other obstacle made in a passage in order to stop an enemy.(Fort.)
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2.
A fortress or fortified town, on the frontier of a country, commanding an avenue of approach.
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3.
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.
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4.
Any obstruction; anything which hinders approach or attack.
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5.
Any limit or boundary; a line of separation.“'Twixt that [instinct] and reason, what a nice barrier!” — Pope.
Phrases & compounds
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.