"...and in his cups he dared beard the somber Tatar to his face, so that the people caught their breath."
-Lord of Samarcand
beard
(bîrd)
n.
1. A growth of hair on the chin, cheeks, and throat of a person, especially a man.
2. A tuft or growth of hairs, bristles, or other hairlike threads on a plant or animal.
3. One who serves to divert suspicion or attention from another, especially a person of the opposite sex who accompanies a gay man or lesbian to give the impression of heterosexuality.
4. Printing The raised slope on a piece of type between the shoulder or counter and the face. Also called neck.
tr.v. beard·ed, beard·ing, beards
1. To furnish with a beard.
2. To confront boldly.
[Middle English berd, from Old English beard; see bhardh-ā- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
