bark
English meaning: Bark
Definition
The hard outer covering of the trunk and branches of a tree.
Example
“The rough bark of the old pine tree was deeply cracked and grey with age.”
Another example: “If you think I took your keys, you're barking up the wrong tree.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A noun with two unrelated senses: tree covering, and the sharp cry of a dog (also a verb, 'the dog barked'). Idiom: 'bark up the wrong tree' (pursue a mistaken idea); 'their bark is worse than their bite'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old Norse 'borkr', the rind of a tree.
Synonyms
- rind
- cortex
Related Words
Common Collocations
- tree bark
- rough bark
- bark of a dog
- bark up the wrong tree
- bark an order
Word Forms
bark (n); bark (v); barking (adj)
Word Tools
Tools & Calculators
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B