barbaric

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective without civilizing influences; ; ; ; -Margaret Meade
  2. adjective unrestrained and crudely rich

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English barbarik, from Old French barbarique (“barbarous”), from Latin barbaricus, from Ancient Greek βαρβαρικός (barbarikós, “barbaric, savage, fierce”), from βάρβαρος (bárbaros, “barbarian”) + -ικός (-ikós, adjective suffix). See βάρβαρος (bárbaros) for more.

In classic literature

Synonyms

barbarian, savage, uncivilized, uncivilised, wild

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