Bar"ri*er (?), n. [OE. barrere, barere, F. barriere, fr. barre bar. See Bar, n.]
1. Fort.
A carpentry obstruction, stockade, or other obstacle made in a passage in order to stop an enemy.
2.
A fortress or fortified town, on the frontier of a country, commanding an avenue of approach.
3. pl.
A fence or railing to mark the limits of a place, or to keep back a crowd.
No sooner were the barriers opened, than he paced into the lists.
Sir W. Scott.
4.
An any obstruction; anything which hinders approach or attack.
"Constitutional
barriers."
Hopkinson.
5.
Any limit or boundary; a line of separation.
'Twixt that [instinct] and reason, what a nice barrier !
Pope.
Barrier gate, a heavy gate to close the opening through a barrier. -- Barrier reef, a form of coral reef which runs in the general direction of the shore, and incloses a lagoon channel more or less extensive. -- To fight at barriers, to fight with a barrier between, as a martial exercise. [Obs.]
© Webster 1913.