bard

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a poet and singer in a Celtic tradition, especially one who composed verses celebrating heroes and notable events

   The bard recited the clan's history to the accompaniment of a harp.

2. 2
   noun

   a poet, especially one regarded as eminent or national

   The critic called the exiled writer the bard of her generation.

From Scottish Gaelic bard and Old Irish bard, 'poet,' ultimately from Proto-Celtic *bardos. Latin bardus was borrowed from the same Celtic word and helped reinforce the English form. The title originally denoted a trained poet-singer who preserved and praised communal history.

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