prod

¹

[ prod ]

verb (used with object)

, prod·ded, prod·ding.

1. to poke or jab with or as if with something pointed:

   I prodded him with my elbow.

2. to rouse or incite as if by poking; nag; goad.

   Synonyms: excite, prompt, stir, impel

noun

1. the act of prodding; a poke or jab.
2. any of various pointed instruments used as a goad, especially an electrified rod that administers a mild shock:

   a cattle prod.

Prod

²

[ prod ]

noun

, Chiefly Ulster Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.

1. a Protestant, especially an Anglo-Irish Protestant.

prod.

³

abbreviation for

1. produce.
2. produced.
3. producer.
4. product.
5. production.

prod.

¹

abbreviation for

1. produce
2. produced
3. product

prod

²

/ prɒd /

verb

1. to poke or jab with or as if with a pointed object
2. tr to rouse or urge to action

noun

1. the act or an instance of prodding
2. a sharp or pointed object
3. a stimulus or reminder

Prod

³

/ prɒd /

noun

1. See Protestant
   derogatory.
   another word for Protestant

Derived Forms

• ˈprodder, noun

Other Words From

• prod·der noun
• un·prod·ded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prod¹

First recorded in 1525–35; origin uncertain

Origin of prod²

By shortening; d probably reflects the voicing or flap characteristic of some Ulster accents

Word History and Origins

Origin of prod¹

C16: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

God has to continually prompt and prod him, and puts his brother Aaron at his side to do most of the real leadership.

From The Daily Beast

These tests prod and poke the children, creating lots of anxiety and taking away from the joy of learning.

From The Daily Beast

But to prod the War on Drugs ever further into history is to make the death of children like Michael Brown ever less likely.

From The Daily Beast

Those were executive action, designed to call attention to an issue, prod Congress, or achieve results.

From The Daily Beast

And, of course, a rebuke to our current politics and especially our president, who seems unable to prod a bee to buzz.

From The Daily Beast

No sooner had his feet hit the floor, however, than he felt the cold, stern prod of the barrel of an automatic.

From Project Gutenberg

She was badly needed to prod the Mexican women in their labors of making beds and sweeping rooms that were occupied twice daily.

From Project Gutenberg

For the time being, I'd like to loaf on you for a week or so and watch the wheels go around without my having to prod them.

From Project Gutenberg

It is wonderful how a mite of laudation will prod us to be more worthy.

From Project Gutenberg

We felt the prod of gregarious instinct, the drawing together as though for united action, the impulse toward cooperation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• goad
• motivate
• prompt
• propel
• provoke
• remind
• spur
• stimulate