prod
pronunciation
How to pronounce prod in British English:
UK [prɒd]
How to pronounce prod in American English:
US [prɑːd]
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- Noun:
- a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
- a pointed instrument used to prod into motion
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- Verb:
- to push against gently
- urge on; cause to act
- poke or thrust abruptly
Word Origin
- prod (v.)
- 1530s, "to poke with a stick," of uncertain origin; possibly [Barnhart] a variant of brod, from Middle English brodden "to goad," from Old Norse broddr "shaft, spike" (see brad), or perhaps imitative [OED]. Figurative sense is recorded from 1871. Related: Prodded; prodding.
- prod (n.)
- 1787, "pointed instrument used in prodding;" 1802, "act of prodding;" from prod (v.).
Example
- 1. Its actions may prod other watchmakers to invest more in their own factories .
- 2. The government hopes to prod markets into a slowdown by toughening financing rules .
- 3. To rev up consumer awareness , he also will prod amc to launch major advertising campaigns .
- 4. Some observers fear that mr rajoy is more likely to give spain a gentle prod than the smack of firm government .
- 5. But china will continue trying to prod the north koreans into reforming the economy and opening the country more to the outside world .