| Summary: | barvel The etymology of _barvel_ seems reasonably well explained in the O.E.D. However, variants substituting _b_ for _v_, common in Newfoundland usage, may involve something more than dialect pronunciation. The two basic forms might be entered as: _barbel_, _barbbel_, _barbell_, n. _Nfld., S.Lab._ [< _barvel_ n. qv., infl. by identification with Irish _barra b�il_, a shoemaker's leather apron, often of sheepskin] A _barvell_/q.v. (all definitions). _barvel_, _barvell_, _barvil_ n.A [< English maritime usage esp. Cornish dial. _barvil_, _barvill_ (in sense 2)<(older) _barmfel_, _barm fel_ < obs. Eng _barm_, skin, leather (< AS _bann_, skin, hide) + _fell_, pelt (< AS (same stem as Icelandic, German _fell_, pelt; cogn. with Latin _pellis_, Gk. _pella_, Eng. _pelt_); note also Scots _barmskin_, a leather apron worn by leatherworkers] 1. An oilskin apron or coverall worn while cleaning fish. 2. _hist. or arch._ A sheepskin coverall worn with the wool "in" while cleaning fish or while fishing in inclement weather. 3. _loose usage_ Any apron or coverall worn when dressing fish. See also _dicky_ n [?by assimilation] The _barbel_ or facial appendage of a fish. W. J. KIRWIN DEC 1972 JH DEC 1972 Used I and Sup Used I and Sup Not used
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