quid

¹ American  

[kwid] / kwɪd /

noun

1. a portion of something, especially tobacco, that is to be chewed but not swallowed.

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quid ² American  

[kwid] / kwɪd /

noun

1. British Informal. one pound sterling.

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quid ¹ British  

/ kwɪd /

noun

1. slang one pound sterling

2. slang in a very favourable or advantageous position

3. slang mentally subnormal

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quid ² British  

/ kwɪd /

noun

1. a piece of tobacco, suitable for chewing

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• quid
  plural

Etymology

Origin of quid¹

First recorded in 1720–30; dialectal variant of cud

Origin of quid²

First recorded in 1680–90; origin uncertain

Explanation

A quid is a hunk or wad of something you chew. I don't recommend shoving a quid of gum in your mouth right before you give your speech. Quid, defined in the 1720s as "a portion suitable to be chewed or held in the mouth," shares a source with cud, as in what a cow chews. The Old English root of both is cudu, "gum or resin." Quid is also British slang for one pound sterling, which may derive from the Latin word meaning "that which is." Order fish and chips in a London pub and you may hear, "That'll be six quid, mate."

Example Sentences

Quid pro quo is his answer, but perhaps it is also the chance to feel self-important again.

From Salon • Nov. 10, 2024

Kids for a Quid tickets will be valid all day, every day, and season ticket holders will be able to apply for a refund.

From BBC • Sep. 13, 2023

“It makes it easier for her to meet outside, because she’s complicit with us and we’re all going into the house together,” Horowitz said, as Quid sniffed and woofed and clamored by way of hello.

From New York Times • Sep. 18, 2022

Quid pro quo transactions — doing favors in exchange for favors — are corrupt.

From Washington Post • Apr. 1, 2022

Opening it, he found the words Quid vitae sectabor iter?

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton