Bread (brĕd), v. t. [AS. brǣdan to make broad, to spread. See Broad, a.] To spread. [Obs.] Ray.

Bread (brĕd), n. [AS. breÁd; akin to OFries. brād, OS. brōd, D. brood, G. brod, brot, Icel. brauð, Sw. & Dan. bröd. The root is probably that of E. brew. √93. See Brew.]

1. An article of food made from flour or meal by moistening, kneading, and baking.

☞ Raised bread is made with yeast, salt, and sometimes a little butter or lard, and is mixed with warm milk or water to form the dough, which, after kneading, is given time to rise before baking. -- Cream of tartar bread is raised by the action of an alkaline carbonate or bicarbonate (as saleratus or ammonium bicarbonate) and cream of tartar (acid tartrate of potassium) or some acid. -- Unleavened bread is usually mixed with water and salt only.

Aërated bread. See under Aërated. Bread and butter (fig.), means of living. -- Brown bread, Indian bread, Graham bread, Rye and Indian bread. See Brown bread, under Brown. -- Bread tree. See Breadfruit.

2. Food; sustenance; support of life, in general.

Give us this day our daily bread.Matt. vi. 11 Matt. vi. 11

Bread , v. t. (Cookery) To cover with bread crumbs, preparatory to cooking; as, breaded cutlets.

-- Webster's unabridged 1913