\Bard\, n. [Of Celtic origin; cf. W. bardd, Arm. barz, Ir.
& Gael. bard, and F. barde.]
1. A professional poet and singer, as among the ancient
   Celts, whose occupation was to compose and sing verses in
   honor of the heroic achievements of princes and brave men.
2. Hence: A poet; as, the bard of Avon.

\Bard\, Barde \Barde\, n. [F. barde, of doubtful origin.]
1. A piece of defensive (or, sometimes, ornamental) armor for
   a horse's neck, breast, and flanks; a barb. [Often in the
   pl.]
2. pl. Defensive armor formerly worn by a man at arms.
3. (Cookery) A thin slice of fat bacon used to cover any meat
   or game.

\Bard\, v. t. (Cookery)
To cover (meat or game) with a thin slice of fat bacon.

\Bard\, n. [Akin to Dan. & Sw. bark, Icel. b["o]rkr, LG. &
HG. borke.]
1. The exterior covering of the trunk and branches of a tree;
   the rind.
2. Specifically, Peruvian bark.
{Bark bed}. See {Bark stove} (below).
{Bark pit}, a pit filled with bark and water, in which hides
   are steeped in tanning.
{Bark stove} (Hort.), a glazed structure for keeping tropical
   plants, having a bed of tanner's bark (called a bark bed)
   or other fermentable matter which produces a moist heat.