bark [barkbarksbarkedbarking] noun, verb BrE [bɑːk] NAmE [bɑːrk] noun uncountable, countable 1. the outer covering of a tree 2. the short loud sound made by dogs and some other animals 3. a short loud sound made by a gun or a voice •a bark of laughter
Word Origin: n. senses 2 to 3 and v. senses 1 to 2 Old English beorc beorcan Germanic ↑breakn. sense 1 and v. sense 3 Middle English Old Norse bǫrkr ↑birch
verb 1. intransitive ~ (at sb/sth) when a dog barks, it makes a short loud sound •The dog suddenly started barking at us. 2. transitive to give orders, ask questions, etc. in a loud, unfriendly way •~ out sth She barked out an order. •~ sth (at sb) He barked questions at her. •+ speech ‘Who are you?’ he barked. 3. transitive ~ sth (especially BrE)to rub the skin off your knee, etc. by falling or by knocking against sth Syn: ↑graze •I barked my shins when I fell on the steps. Verb forms:
Word Origin: n. senses 2 to 3 and v. senses 1 to 2 Old English beorc beorcan Germanic ↑breakn. sense 1 and v. sense 3 Middle English Old Norse bǫrkr ↑birch
Example Bank: •The dog was barking furiously at a cat.