gad

¹

[ gad ]

verb (used without object)

, gad·ded, gad·ding.

1. to move restlessly or aimlessly from one place to another:

   to gad about.

noun

1. the act of gadding.

Gad

²

or gad

[ gad ]

interjection

1. (used as a mild oath.)

gad

³

[ gad ]

noun

1. a goad for driving cattle.
2. a pointed mining tool for breaking up rock, coal, etc.

Gad

⁴

[ gad ]

noun

1. a son of Zilpah. Genesis 30:11.
2. one of the twelve tribes of Israel, traditionally descended from him.
3. a Hebrew prophet and chronicler of the court of David. 2 Samuel 24:11–19.

gad

¹

/ ɡæd /

verb

1. intr; often foll by about or around to go out in search of pleasure, esp in an aimless manner; gallivant

noun

1. carefree adventure (esp in the phrase on or upon the gad )

Gad

²

/ ɡæd /

noun

1. 1. Jacob's sixth son, whose mother was Zilpah, Leah's maid
   2. the Israelite tribe descended from him
   3. the territory of this tribe, lying to the east of the Jordan and extending southwards from the Sea of Galilee
2. a prophet and admonisher of David (I Samuel 22; II Samuel 24)

Gad

³

/ ɡæd /

noun

1. See God
   an archaic euphemism for God

   by Gad!

gad

⁴

/ ɡæd /

noun

1. mining a short chisel-like instrument for breaking rock or coal from the face
2. a goad for driving cattle
3. See spur
   a western US word for spur

verb

1. tr mining to break up or loosen with a gad

Derived Forms

• ˈgadder, noun

Other Words From

• gadder noun
• gadding·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gad¹

1425–75; late Middle English gadden, perhaps back formation from gadeling companion in arms, fellow (in 16th century, vagabond, wanderer), Old English gædeling, derivative of gæd fellowship; gather, -ling ¹

Origin of gad²

First recorded in 1600–10; euphemism for God

Origin of gad³

1175–1225; Middle English < Old Norse gaddr spike; cognate with Gothic gazds

Origin of gad⁴

From Late Latin, from Greek Gád, from Hebrew Gādh “(good) luck”

Word History and Origins

Origin of gad¹

C15: back formation from obsolete gadling companion, from Old English, from gæd fellowship; related to Old High German gatuling

Origin of gad²

C13: from Old Norse gaddr spike; related to Old High German gart , Gothic gazds spike

Example Sentences

GAD affects 6.8 million adults, and women are twice as likely to suffer as men.

From The Daily Beast

Gad said that the Army has announced it has footage from the scene that "shows exactly what happened, so let's wait and see."

From The Daily Beast

"There was a warning from the Army that the Muslim Brotherhood would try to invade" the building, Gad says.

From The Daily Beast

(Ynet) Last known gay Jewish Holocaust survivor dies - World War II resistance fighter Gad Beck dies in Berlin at 88.

From The Daily Beast

Rannels and Gad were shut out of the Tony Awards, although the musical won nine.

From The Daily Beast

We all agreed that Gad's Hill alone would be well worth a trip from London.

From Project Gutenberg

I gad, when the teachings of a man's mother leave him unfinished there isn't a great deal of encouragement for the wife.

From Project Gutenberg

And I was never so much of a man as you now make me, and, I gad, I'm going to be worthy of your friendship.

From Project Gutenberg

By gad, I'll overhaul my office force from the errand-boy up, as soon as I get back home!

From Project Gutenberg

You recollect that voice girl we saw in the coach; 'gad, I served her spouse that is to be a praetty trick!

From Project Gutenberg