bard (redirected from bards)

bard, in Wales, term originally used to refer to the order of minstrel-poets who composed and recited the poems that celebrated the feats of Celtic chieftains and warriors. The term bard in present-day usage has become synonymous with poet, particularly a revered poet.

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bard

Celtic tribal poet-singer gifted in composing and reciting verses of eulogy and satire or of heroes and their deeds. The institution died out in Gaul but survived in Ireland, where bards have preserved a tradition of chanting poetic eulogy, and in Wales, where the bardic order was codified into distinct grades in the 10th century. Despite a decline in the late Middle Ages, the Welsh tradition is celebrated in the annual National Eisteddfod.

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bard

1. 

a. (formerly) one of an ancient Celtic order of poets who recited verses about the exploits, often legendary, of their tribes

b. (in modern times) a poet who wins a verse competition at a Welsh eisteddfod

2. Archaic or literary any poet, esp one who writes lyric or heroic verse or is of national importance