bard
UK[bɑːd]US[bɑːrd]
n
A poet, traditionally one reciting epics and associated with a particular oral tradition.
n
(capitalized) An award-winning title for a poet in Welsh eisteddfod competitions.
Etymology
The word 'bard' entered English in the 15th century from Scottish Gaelic, where it originally denoted a Celtic poet-singer who composed and recited verses celebrating heroes and their deeds. The Celtic term is traced back to the Proto-Celtic bardos, meaning 'poet, singer'. This, in turn, is believed to be a loan from the Proto-Indo-European root gʷerH-, meaning 'to praise aloud'. The journey from an ancient root for vocal praise to the specific Celtic professional poet, and finally to its modern English sense of a poet (especially one of epic or historical themes), illustrates a clear semantic narrowing. The term was later revived and romanticized, particularly in reference to Shakespeare as 'the Bard of Avon', and institutionalized in Welsh cultural competitions.
Analysis
The word 'bard' is a simplex loanword from Celtic languages (specifically Scottish and Irish Gaelic bard, Old Irish bard) into English. It functions as a complete, unanalyzable root in modern English.
Examples
William Shakespeare is often referred to simply as the Bard.
In ancient Celtic societies, the bard was a respected member of the chieftain's retinue.
The festival featured a performance by a modern bard reciting original epic poetry.