barbarian

& a. [From Lat. barbar ( us ), and Eng. suffix -ian. The Latin is only a transliteration of the Greek βάρβαρος (barbaros), of uncertain derivation.] [BARBAR.] A. As substantive: I. Historically : 1. Among the Greeks: A foreigner; one who could not speak Greek. At first the Romans were included by the Greeks under the term barbarian; but as the inhabitants of the great Italian city gradually gained imperial power, and moreover began to consider the Greek language as a desirable if not even an indispensable part of a liberal education, they were no longer placed in the category of "barbarians," nor was their speech deemed "barbarous." When the Greeks became the most civilised people in the world the term barbarian came to be used with some reproach, but le so than among ourselves now. "Proud Greece all nations else barbarians held, Boasting her learning all the world excell'd." Denham . "There were not different gods among the Greeks an.l barbarians "-Stilling fleet. 2. Among the Romans: (1) Before the fall of the Empire : A term applied to a foreigner who could speak neither Latin nor Greek. "I would they were barbarians, as they are, Though in Rome litter'd." Shakesp.: Coriolanus, iii. 1. (2) After the fall of the Empire : (a) First : A person belonging to any of the uncivilised Germanic tribes who long threatened, and at last overthrew, the Roman Empire. (b) Subsequently : A Berber from Northern Africa. IMG:content-1053.png:[blocks in formation] 435 bar-bar-ic, bar-bar-ick, a. [In Sp., Port., & Ital. barbarico; Lat. barbaric us; Gr. βαρβαρικός ( barbarikos ).] L. Of persons: The same as BARBARIAN, adj . (1). II. Of things: 1. Foreign. "Or where the gorgeous East, with richest hand, Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold." Milton: P. L., bk. ii. "Tall minarets, shining mosques, barbaric towers." Hemans: The Abencerrage. 2. Evincing the partial or total absence of civilisation, such as might be expected from a semi-savage.