First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1bark
verb \ˈbärk\
Definition of BARK
intransitive verb
1
a : to make the characteristic short loud cry of a dog b : to make a noise resembling a bark
2
: to speak in a curt loud and usually angry tone : snap
transitive verb
1
: to utter in a curt loud usually angry tone <an officer barking orders>
2
: to advertise by persistent outcry <barking their wares>
— bark up the wrong tree
: to promote or follow a mistaken course (as in doing research)
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Origin of BARK
Middle English berken, from Old English beorcan; akin to Old Norse berkja to bark, Lithuanian burgėti to growl
2bark
noun
Definition of BARK
1
a : the sound made by a barking dog b : a similar sound
2
: a short sharp peremptory tone of speech or utterance
— bark·less \ˈbärk-ləs\ adjective
First Known Use of BARK
before 12th century
3bark
noun
Definition of BARK
1
: the tough exterior covering of a woody root or stem; specifically : the tissues outside the cambium that include an inner layer especially of secondary phloem and an outer layer of periderm
2
: cinchona 2
3
: a candy containing chocolate and nuts that is made in a sheet and broken into pieces
— bark·less \ˈbärk-ləs\ adjective
Origin of BARK
Middle English, from Old Norse bark-, bǫrkr; akin to Middle Dutch & Middle Low German borke bark
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Botany Terms
4bark
verb
Definition of BARK
transitive verb
1
: to treat with an infusion of tanbark
2
a : to strip the bark from b : to rub off or abrade the skin of <barked a shin on the desk>
First Known Use of BARK
14th century
5bark
noun
Definition of BARK
1
a : a small sailing ship b : a sailing ship of three or more masts with the aftmost mast fore-and-aft rigged and the others square-rigged
2
: a craft propelled by sails or oars
Variants of BARK
bark or barque
Origin of BARK
Middle English, from Middle French barque, from Old Occitan barca, from Late Latin
First Known Use: 15th century
BARK Defined for Kids
1bark
verb \ˈbärk\
barkedbark·ing
Definition of BARK for Kids
1
: to make the short loud cry of a dog or like a dog's
2
: to shout or speak sharply <The captain barked orders at the soldiers.>
2bark
noun
Definition of BARK for Kids
: the sound made by a barking dog or a similar sound
3bark
noun
Definition of BARK for Kids
: the outside covering of the trunk, branches, and roots of a tree
4bark
noun \ˈbärk\
Definition of BARK for Kids
1
: a small sailing boat
2
: a three-masted ship with foremast and mainmast square-rigged
Variants of BARK
bark or barque \ˈbärk\
5bark
verb
barkedbarking
Definition of BARK for Kids
: to rub or scrape the skin off <He barked his shins.>
Medical Dictionary
bark
noun \ˈbärk\
Learn More About BARK
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