bard

Where does the word "bard" come from? It comes from Celtic bardos, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Bard’s story begins in Celtic: bardos meant “a poet-singer.” A poet and singer who composed verses honoring chiefs and heroes. It reached English by 1400s as bard. Settled as the word for a poet, especially one who performs their work. Today, bard means a poet, traditionally one who composes and performs epic verse.

1. Stage 1 · Celtic · ancient bardos "a poet-singer", a poet and singer who composed verses honoring chiefs and heroes.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s bard "a poet, especially one who performs verse", settled as the word for a poet, especially one who performs their work.