Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BREAD, n. [bred; Sax. breod; G. brot; D. brood; Sw. brod; Dan. bröd; Qu. Gr. βρωτος, any thing esculent. If the word signifies food in general, or that which is eaten, probably it is the Heb. and Ch. ברות, from ברה, barah, to eat or feed. But in German, it signifies loaf as well as bread. “Zehen brot,” ten loaves. It may therefore signify primarily a lump or portion.]

1. A mass of dough, made by moistening and kneading the flour or meal of some species of grain, and baked in an oven or pan.
2. Food in general. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread. – Gen. iii. Give us this day our daily bread. – Lord's Prayer.
3. Support of life in general; maintenance. Is the reward of virtue, bread? – Pope. Bee-bread. [See Bee.] Ship-bread, bread for ships; hard biscuits. Cassada-bread. [See Cassada.]