bæˈstɑːrdə

Definitions

1. noun

A type of sword with a complex curve and a single edge, often associated with the late medieval period.

“The museum displayed a rare example of a 14th-century bastard sword.”

2. noun

In music, a type of rhythm that is irregular or unpredictable, often used in jazz and other modern styles.

“The jazz band’s use of bastard rhythms added a unique flavor to their performance.”

3. noun

A person of mixed ancestry, often referring to a child born out of wedlock or with a parent of a different ethnicity.

“Historical records show that bastards were often stigmatized and marginalized in medieval society.”