"...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.]