Barbarian, n.
Etymology: [See Barbarous.]
1. A foreigner. [Historical] Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
2. A man in a rule, savage, or uncivilized state.
3. A person destitute of culture. M. Arnold.
4. A cruel, savage, brutal man; one destitute of pity or humanity. "Thou fell barbarian." Philips.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Barbarian, a.
Of, or pertaining to, or resembling, barbarians; rude; uncivilized; barbarous; as, barbarian governments or nations.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for barbarian; he lists it under barbarous.
Where he writes about it:
Whatever is not civilized is barbarian; barbaric indicates rude magnificence, uncultured richness; as, barbaric splendor, a barbaric melody. — from barbarous
Barbarous refers to the worst side of barbarian life, and to revolting acts, especially of cruelty, such as a civilized man would not be expected to do; as, a barbarous deed. — from barbarous