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bar·rage²

(bə-räzh)

1. A coordinated discharge or bombardment using artillery, missiles, or firearms, especially when directed against an enemy's lines, as to provide cover for advancing troops.

2. An overwhelming, concentrated outpouring, as of words or requests: a barrage of criticism.

tr.v. bar·raged, bar·rag·ing, bar·rag·es

To direct a barrage at.

[French (tir de) barrage, barrier (fire); see BARRAGE¹.]

Synonyms: barrage², bombard, pelt², pepper
These verbs mean to direct a concentrated outpouring of something at someone: barraged the speaker with questions; bombarded the box office with ticket orders; pelted the clerk with complaints; peppered the senator with protests.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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