from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Barrier \Bar"ri*er\, n. [OE. barrere, barere, F. barri[`e]re,
fr. barre bar. See {Bar}, n.]
1. (Fort.) A carpentry obstruction, stockade, or other
obstacle made in a passage in order to stop an enemy.
[1913 Webster]
2. A fortress or fortified town, on the frontier of a
country, commanding an avenue of approach.
[1913 Webster]
3. pl. A fence or railing to mark the limits of a place, or
to keep back a crowd.
[1913 Webster]
No sooner were the barriers opened, than he paced
into the lists. --Sir W.
Scott.
[1913 Webster]
4. Any obstruction; anything which hinders approach or
attack. "Constitutional barriers." --Hopkinson.
[1913 Webster]
5. Any limit or boundary; a line of separation.
[1913 Webster]
'Twixt that [instinct] and reason, what a nice
barrier! --Pope.
[1913 Webster]
{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. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]