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beard

(bîrd)

1. A growth of hair on the chin, cheeks, and throat of a person, especially a man.

2. A tuft or growth of hairs, bristles, or other hairlike threads on a plant or animal.

3. One who serves to divert suspicion or attention from another, especially a person of the opposite sex who accompanies a gay man or lesbian to give the impression of heterosexuality.

4. Printing The raised slope on a piece of type between the shoulder or counter and the face.Also called neck.

tr.v.beard·ed, beard·ing, beards

1. To furnish with a beard.

2. To confront boldly.

[Middle Englishberd, fromOld Englishbeard; see bhardh-ā- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

beardlessadj.

(click for a larger image)

beard

top: on wheat

bottom: on a male turkey's breast

Beard, Mary Ritter 1876-1958.

American historian and feminist. She shared her husband Charles's economic view of history and collaborated with him on The Rise of American Civilization (first volume 1927), in which they characterized the Civil War as the "second American Revolution," perpetrated by Northern capitalists over Southern plantation owners for economic gain.

Beard, James Andrew 1903-1985.

American culinary expert who wrote several authoritative cookbooks focusing on American cuisine.

Beard, Daniel Carter Known as "Dan." 1850-1941.

American writer and illustrator. In 1905 he founded the Sons of Daniel Boone, which in 1910 merged with the newly formed Boy Scouts of America.

Beard

(bîrd), Charles Austin 1874-1948.

American historian and educator who explored the economic aspects of history in works such as An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution (1913). His view that the document was based on its formulators' economic self-interests profoundly affected the study of American history.

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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