bard English · revision 1473

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1449}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /bɑːd/ ''(UK)''; /bɑɹd/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|bard]], first in Scottish use as [[m|enm|baird]],^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Weekley 1921) [[bor|gd|bàrd]], [[ga|bard]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate)^(Hoad 1986) from [[cel-pro|*bardos|t=poet, singer]];^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) compare [[cy|bardd]], [[br|barz]] and [[kw|bardh]].^(Barnhart 1995)^(AHD)^(RHWU) It is possibly from [[ine-pro|*gʷredʰo-|t=one who praises]], from the root [[ine-pro|*gʷerə-|t=to favour]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD) The Gaulish word passed into [[grc|βάρδος|tr=bárdos]] and [[la|bardus]].^(Barnhart 1995)^(Klein 1966)^(Weekley 1921)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In early Lowland Scots, a strolling musician or minstrel (1449 in the OED and Barnhart);^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995) of the ancient Celtic order of minstrel-poets, c. 1450.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) It was a surname by 1297.^(Weekley 1921)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Among the Welsh the bard was held in great respect, but among the Scots the word became a term of contempt, for the bards were considered vagrant troublemakers,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1995)^(OED 1989) and Scottish laws named them among beggars and vagabonds.^(Weekley 1921) Through the Latin and Greek words it was used in literature as a poetic term,^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) for the early minstrels of other nations, such as the Old English gleeman (1623),^(OED 1989) and for any lyric or epic poet (1606).^(OED 1989) Sir Walter Scott idealized it in the older sense of lyric poet and singer.^(Etymonline) ''The Bard'' is Shakespeare.^(RHWU) In modern Wales it is a poet who wins a verse competition at an [[eisteddfod]].^(Collins 2023) An unrelated word ''bard'', from French ''barde'', means armour for a horse (1480) and a slice of bacon laid over meat for cooking.^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1297 – as a surname.^(Weekley 1921)

+ * 1449 – ''baird'', a strolling minstrel (Scots).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * c. 1450 – a Celtic minstrel-poet.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1606 – any poet.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1623 – an early minstrel of other nations.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # One of an ancient Celtic order of minstrel poets who composed and recited verses about the deeds of chiefs and heroes, often to the [[harp]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A [[poet]], especially a lyric or epic poet, and as ''the Bard'', Shakespeare.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A poet who wins a verse competition at a Welsh [[eisteddfod]].^(Collins 2023)

+ # A piece of [[armour]] for a horse's neck, breast or flank.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+ # A thin slice of fat or bacon laid over meat or poultry for cooking.^(RHWU)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To cover meat or poultry with slices of fat or bacon before cooking.^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(MWU 2024)

+ # To equip a horse with bards.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[bardic]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[minstrel]]

+ * [[skald]]

+ * [[troubadour]]

+ * [[eisteddfod]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}