bacon
     n 1: back and sides of a hog salted and dried or smoked; usually
          sliced thin and fried
     2: English scientist and Franciscan monk who stressed the
        importance of experimentation; first showed that air is
        required for combustion and first used lenses to correct
        vision (1220-1292) [syn: Roger Bacon]
     3: English statesman and philosopher; precursor of British
        empiricism; advocated inductive reasoning (1561-1626)
        [syn: Francis Bacon, Sir Francis Bacon, Baron Verulam,
         1st Baron Verulam, Viscount St. Albans]

Bacon \Ba"con\, n. [OF. bacon, fr. OHG. bacho, bahho, flitch of
   bacon, ham; akin to E. back. Cf. Back the back side.]
   The back and sides of a pig salted and smoked; formerly, the
   flesh of a pig salted or fresh.

   Bacon beetle (Zo["o]l.), a beetle (Dermestes lardarius)
      which, especially in the larval state, feeds upon bacon,
      woolens, furs, etc. See Dermestes.

   To save one's bacon, to save one's self or property from
      harm or less. [Colloq.]