/bay"keuhn/ , n.
1. the back and sides of the hog, salted and dried or smoked, usually sliced thin and fried for food.
2. Also called white bacon . South Midland and Southern U.S. pork cured in brine; salt pork.
3. bring home the bacon ,
a. to provide for material needs; earn a living.
b. to accomplish a task; be successful or victorious: Our governor went to Washington to appeal for disaster relief and brought home the bacon - $40 million.
4. save one's bacon , Informal. to allow one to accomplish a desired end; spare one from injury or loss: Quick thinking saved our bacon.
[ 1300-50; ME bacoun bacon bakon- (OHG bacho back, ham, bacon) deriv. of * baka- BACK 1 ; cf. MD bake bacon ]