bark
bark Lexical Profile
bark Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The tough, protective outer sheath covering the trunk, branches, and roots of trees and woody plants.
"The ancient oak had thick, deeply furrowed bark that sheltered numerous woodland insects."
The sharp, explosive cry made by a dog, fox, or seal.
"The terrier let out a sharp bark when the mail carrier approached the front gate."
North American A type of confection made from a thin, flat sheet of melted chocolate topped with nuts, dried fruit, or peppermint pieces and broken into irregular shards.
"During the winter holidays, she always prepares homemade peppermint bark as gifts for her neighbors."
A sailing ship with three or more masts, having the foremast and mainmast rigged square and only the mizzenmast rigged fore-and-aft.
"The historic three-masted bark sailed gracefully into the harbor for the maritime festival."
• verb
To emit a sudden, sharp, explosive cry (of a dog, fox, or seal).
"The neighborhood dogs began to bark loudly as the delivery truck drove down the street."
To utter a command, question, or remark in a sharp, aggressive, orimperious tone.
"The director continued to bark instructions at the stage crew throughout the final dress rehearsal."
To scrape or rub the skin off a body part, such as a shin or knuckle, by accident.
"He managed to bark his shin against the low wooden coffee table in the dark room."
To strip the outer protective covering from a tree or log.
"Foresters had to bark the felled pine logs before feeding them into the sawmill."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Bark" represents three historically distinct homographs: the sharp vocalization of a dog, the protective outer covering of a tree, and a three-masted sailing ship (also spelled "barque").
• Rhymes for bark
Word Origin & Etymology
The sense referring to a dog's cry derives from Old English "beorcan", of imitative origin. The botanical sense comes from Old Norse "borkr" (tree rind), while the nautical sense entered via Middle French "barque" from Late Latin "barca".