Added 9 October 2026
goad
/ɡəʊd/ noun
In Latin: stimulus Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about goad at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- A pointed instrument that is used to prod into a state of motion.
-
A verbalization that encourages you to attempt something.
the ceaseless prodding got on his nerves
verb
Origin
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.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)