barbastelle
|bar/bə/stel|
🇺🇸
/ˌbɑɹbəˈstɛl/
🇬🇧
/ˌbɑːbəˈstɛl/
beard-like bat
Etymology
'barbastelle' originates from French, specifically the word 'barbastelle', where the element 'barba' (from Latin) meant 'beard'.
'barbastelle' changed from Late Latin/Medieval Latin 'barbastellus' and Old French 'barbastelle' and eventually became the modern English word 'barbastelle'.
Initially, it meant 'little beard' (referring to a beardlike feature), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a species of bat'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a small, insectivorous bat of the genus Barbastella (notably Barbastella barbastellus), found in parts of Europe and Asia, characterized by a broad head and short snout.
The barbastelle prefers old-growth woodland and roosts in tree crevices and bat boxes.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/14 05:28