goad

Definition

A long, pointed stick used to prod animals.

Etymology

From Middle English gode, from Old English gād (“goad”), from Proto-Germanic *gaidō (compare Old Norse gedda (“pike (fish)”), Lombardic gaida (“spear”)), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰey- (compare Old Irish gath (“spear”), Sanskrit हिन्वति (hinvati), हिनोति (hinoti, “to urge on, throw”), हेति (heti, “missile, projectile”)). Doublet of gad and yard; see also xyston.

Example Sentences

• "the daily goad urging him to the daily toil"
• "I might have been an unfortunate little bull in a Spanish arena, I got so smartingly touched up by these moral goads."