n. [ F. baracan, bouracan (cf. Pr. barracan, It. baracane, Sp. barragan, Pg. barregana, LL. barracanus), fr. Ar. barrakān a kind of black gown, perh. fr. Per. barak a garment made of camel's hair. ] A thick, strong stuff, somewhat like camlet; -- still used for outer garments in the Levant. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. baraque, fr. It. baracca (cf. Sp. barraca), from LL. barra bar. See Bar, n. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. (Mil.) A building for soldiers, especially when in garrison. Commonly in the pl., originally meaning temporary huts, but now usually applied to a permanent structure or set of buildings. [ 1913 Webster ]

He lodged in a miserable hut or barrack, composed of dry branches and thatched with straw. Gibbon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A movable roof sliding on four posts, to cover hay, straw, etc. [ Local, U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To supply with barracks; to establish in barracks; as, to barrack troops. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To live or lodge in barracks. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ D. baar, OD. baer, naked, bare + kleed garment, i. e., cloth undressed or without nap. ] A home-made woolen blanket without nap. [ Local, New York ] Bartlett. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Sp. or Pg. barraca. See Barrack. ] A slave warehouse, or an inclosure where slaves are quartered temporarily. Du Chaillu. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ Native name. ] (Zool.) Any of several voracious pikelike marine fishes allied to the gray mullets, constituting the genus Sphyræna and family Sphyrænidæ. The great barracuda (Sphyræna barracuda) of the West Indies, Florida, etc., is often six feet or more long, and as dangerous as a shark. In Cuba its flesh is reputed to be poisonous. Sphyræna Argentea of the Pacific coast and Sphyræna sphyræna of Europe are smaller species, and are used as food. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

☞ That of Europe and our Atlantic coast is Sphyræna spet (or Sphyræna vulgaris); a southern species is Sphyræna picuda; the Californian is Sphyræna argentea. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) A large edible fresh-water fish of Australia and New Zealand (Thyrsites atun). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., fr. barrer to bar, from barre bar. ] (Engin.) An artificial bar or obstruction placed in a river or watercourse to increase the depth of water; as, the barrages of the Nile. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Written also barramunda. ] [ Native name. ] (Zool.) (a) A remarkable Australian fresh-water ganoid fish of the genus Ceratodus. (b) An Australian river fish (Osteoglossum Leichhardtii). [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

‖n. [ Sp. ] A ravine caused by heavy rains or a watercourse. [ Texas & N. Mex. ] [ 1913 Webster ]