yard

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yard2 †rod, staff; (naut.) spar to which a square sail is bent; †measuring-rod; †rood (of land) OE.; measure of 3 feet XIV. OE. ġerd, (WS.) *ġierd, ġird, ġyrd = OS. gerdia switch (Du. gard twig, rod), OHG. gart(e)a, gerta (G. gerte):- WGmc. *ʒazdjō, f. Gmc. *ʒazdaz (see GADFLY).

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