[f. BARK v.1]
1. The sharp explosive cry uttered by dogs; the similar sound made by other animals, e.g., foxes and squirrels.
1562. J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 56. At euery dogs barke, seeme not to awake.
1796. Southey, Occas. Pieces, vii. Wks. II. 231. From many a day-dream has thy short quick bark Recall’d my wandering soul.
1875. Whitney, Life Lang., i. 3. The dog’s bark and howl signify … very different things.
2. transf. or fig.; e.g., the sound of cannon-firing; colloq. a cough.
1871. Echo, 9 Jan., 5/1. The deep bark of our monster war-dogs.
Mod. What a desperate bark you have! Try some jujubes.
b. contrasted with bite, esp. in phr. His bark is worse than his bite: his angry words, threats, etc., are worse than the actual performance.
1663. Lauderd. Papers (1884), I. 131. It … is intended that that letter shall be a great bark if not a byt.
1842. De Quincey, Cicero, Wks. VI. 184. The bark of electioneering mobs is worse than their bite.
