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   bar·ri·er

   /ˈberēər/

   noun

   • 1. a fence or other obstacle that prevents movement or access: "the mountain barrier between Norway and Sweden" Similar fencerailingbarricadehurdlebarblockaderoadblockfencing
   • ▪ the starting gate of a racecourse.
   • ▪ a gate at a parking lot that controls access by being raised or lowered.
   • ▪ a circumstance or obstacle that keeps people or things apart or prevents communication or progress: "a language barrier" Similar obstacleobstructionhurdlestumbling blockbarblockimpedimenthindrancesnagcatchdrawbackhitchhandicapdeterrentcomplicationdifficultyproblemdisadvantagebalkcurbcheckstopinformal:fly in the ointmenthiccupfacerspanner in the worksmonkey wrench in the worksliterary:trammelarchaic:cumber
   • ▪ a long narrow island lying parallel and close to the mainland, protecting the mainland from erosion and storms.

   Word Origin late Middle English (denoting a palisade or fortification defending an entrance): from Old French barriere, of unknown origin; related to barre.

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • B

     3

   • A

     1

   • R

     1

   • R

     1

   • I

     1

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

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