Yārd1, n.
n. [A-S. geard, gerd, gird, gyrd, a rod, stick, a measure, a yard, O. Sax. gerda, O. Fries. ierde, ieerde, D. garde, gard, O. D. gaerde, gheerde, gerde, geirde, gaert, O. H. Ger. gart, N. H. Ger. gerte, Icel. gyrdi, osier. Cf. Goth. gazds, goad, Icel. gaddr, club.]
Sense 1. A measure of length, equaling three feet, or thirty-six inches, being the standard of English and American measure.
Sense 2. A long piece of timber, as a rafter, and the like. [Obs.] Oxf. Gloss.
Sense 3. The male member or organ; the penis.
Sense 4. (Naut.) A long, slender piece of timber, nearly cylindrical, suspended upon the mast, by which a sail is extended.
Dock-yard, a place where ships are laid up.—Golden Yard, or Yard and Ell (Astron.), a popular designation of the three stars in the belt of Orion.