bacon
UK[ˈbeɪkən]US[ˈbeɪkən]
n
meat from the back or sides of a pig, cured by salting or smoking.
Etymology
the word 'bacon' entered english in the 12th century from the old french term 'bacon', which itself derived from a common germanic root. this germanic root, reconstructed as bakkon-, meant 'back meat' or 'ham', referring specifically to the rear of the animal. the french form was likely influenced by the old high german 'bahho'. the semantic journey is direct, with the modern english meaning preserving the original sense of cured pork from the back and sides, a staple preserved meat that was historically essential for sustenance.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword from old french. it does not contain separable morphemes within its modern english spelling.
Examples
i cooked crispy bacon and eggs for breakfast.
the recipe calls for two slices of smoked bacon.
the smell of frying bacon filled the kitchen.