ETYM Latin barbarus, Greek barbaros, strange, foreign; later, slavish, rude, ignorant; akin to Latin balbus stammering, Skr. barbara stammering, outlandish. Related to Brave.
1. Primitive in customs and culture.
2. (Of persons or their actions) Able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering; SYN. brutal, cruel, fell, roughshod, savage, vicious.