BARBER (from

See also:

• LAT

Lat. barba,

See also:

• BEARD (A.S. beard, O. H. and Mod. Ger. Bart, Dan. beard, Icel. bar, rim, edge, beak of a ship, &c., O. Slay. barda, Russ. barodd. Cf. Welsh barf, Lat.. barba, though, according to the New English Dictionary, the connexion is for phonetic reasons doubtful)
• BEARD, WILLIAM HOLBROOK (1825-1900)

beard)  , one whose occupation it is to shave or trim beards, a hairdresser . In former times the barber's craft was dignified with the title of a profession, being conjoined with the art of surgery . In France the barber-surgeons were separated from the perruquiers, and incorporated as a distinct body in the reign of Louis XIV . In England barbers first received incorporation from Edward IV. in 1461 . By 32 Henry VIII. c . 42, they were united with the company of surgeons, it being enacted that the barbers should confine them-selves to the minor operations of blood-letting and drawing teeth, while the surgeons were prohibited from " barbery or shaving." In 1745 barbers and surgeons were separated into distinct corporations by 18 George II. c . 15 . The barber's shop was a favourite resort of idle persons; and in addition to its attraction as a focus of news, a lute, viol, or some such musical instrument, was always kept for the entertainment of waiting customers . The barber's sign consisted of a striped pole, from which was suspended a basin, symbols the use of which is still preserved . The fillet round the pole indicated the ribbon for bandaging the arm in bleeding, and the basin the vessel to receive the blood . See also BEARD, and Annals of the Barber Surgeons of London (189o) .