Cold, bare chest (3)
I believe the answer is:
ark
'chest' is the definition.
(historical term for a chest)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ark that I've seen before include "Rescue ship" , "Boat built to withstand floods" , "Noah's boat" , "Large vessel" , "Noah's craft" .)