Bar \Bar\ (b[aum]r), n. [OE. barre, F. barre, fr. LL. barra, W. bar the branch of a tree, bar, baren branch, Gael. & Ir. barra bar. [root]91.]

1. A piece of wood, metal, or other material, long in proportion to its breadth or thickness, used as a lever and for various other purposes, but especially for a hindrance, obstruction, or fastening; as, the bars of a fence or gate; the bar of a door.

Thou shalt make bars of shittim wood. --Ex. xxvi. 26.

2. An indefinite quantity of some substance, so shaped as to be long in proportion to its breadth and thickness; as, a bar of gold or of lead; a bar of soap.

3. Anything which obstructs, hinders, or prevents; an obstruction; a barrier.

Must I new bars to my own joy create? --Dryden.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Bar \Bar\ (b[aum]r), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Barred (b[aum]rd); p. pr. & vb. n. Barring.]

[ F. barrer. See Bar, n.]

1. To fasten with a bar; as, to bar a door or gate.

2. To restrict or confine, as if by a bar; to hinder; to obstruct; to prevent; to prohibit; as, to bar the entrance of evil; distance bars our intercourse; the statute bars my right; the right is barred by time; a release bars the plaintiff's recovery; -- sometimes with up.

He barely looked the idea in the face, and hastened to bar it in its dungeon. --Hawthorne.

3. To except; to exclude by exception.

Nay, but I bar to-night: you shall not gauge me By what we do to-night. --Shak.

4. To cross with one or more stripes or lines.

For the sake of distinguishing the feet more clearly, I have barred them singly. --Burney.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)