Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CHARD, n. [Fr. charde; L. carduus.]

The leaves of artichokes tied and wrapped all over, except the top, in straw, during autumn and winter. This makes them grow white and lose some of their bitterness. – Chambers. Chards of beet are plants of white beet transplanted, producing great tops, which, in the midst, have a large, white, thick, downy, cotton-like main shoot, which is the true chard. – Mortimer.