Yard (?), n. [OE. yerd, AS. gierd, gyrd, a rod, stick, a measure, a yard; akin to OFries. ierde, OS. gerda, D. garde, G. gerte, OHG. gartia, gerta, gart, Icel. gaddr a goad, sting, Goth. gazds, and probably to L. hasta a spear. Cf. Gad, n., Gird, n., Gride, v. i., Hastate.]
1. A rod; a stick; a staff. P. Plowman.
If men smote it with a yerde. Chaucer.
2. A branch; a twig.
The bitter frosts with the sleet and rain
Destroyed hath the green in every yerd. Chaucer.
3. A long piece of timber, as a rafter, etc.
4. A measure of length, equaling three feet, or thirty-six inches, being the standard of English and American measure.
5. The penis.
6. (Naut.) A long piece of timber, nearly cylindrical, tapering toward the ends, and designed to support and extend a square sail. A yard is usually hung by the center to the mast. See Illust. of Ship.
Golden Yard, orYard and Ell(Astron.), a popular name of the three stars in the belt of Orion. — Under yard [i.e., under the rod], under contract. Chaucer.