| English Dictionary |
PROD (prodded, prodding)
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
| IPA (US): |  |
, prodding Dictionary entry overview: What does prod mean?
• PROD (noun)
The noun PROD has 2 senses:
1. a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
2. a pointed instrument that is used to prod into a state of motion
Familiarity information: PROD used as a noun is rare.
• PROD (verb)
The verb PROD has 3 senses:
1. to push against gently
2. urge on; cause to act
3. poke or thrust abruptly
Familiarity information: PROD used as a verb is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
A verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Synonyms:
goad; goading; prod; prodding; spur; spurring; urging
Context example:
the ceaseless prodding got on his nerves
Hypernyms ("prod" is a kind of...):
encouragement (the expression of approval and support)
Derivation:
prod (urge on; cause to act)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A pointed instrument that is used to prod into a state of motion
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
goad; prod
Hypernyms ("prod" is a kind of...):
device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "prod"):
ankus (an elephant goad with a sharp spike and a hook)
gad; spur (a sharp prod fixed to a rider's heel and used to urge a horse onward)
Derivation:
prod (poke or thrust abruptly)
prod (to push against gently)
| Conjugation: |
... he / she / it prods Past simple: prodded
Past participle: prodded
-ing form: prodding
Sense 1
Meaning:
To push against gently
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
Context example:
She nudged my elbow when she saw her friend enter the restaurant
Hypernyms (to "prod" is one way to...):
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "prod"):
jog (give a slight push to)
elbow (shove one's elbow into another person's ribs)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Derivation:
prod (a pointed instrument that is used to prod into a state of motion)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Urge on; cause to act
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
Context example:
The other children egged the boy on, but he did not want to throw the stone through the window
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "prod"):
goose (prod into action)
halloo (urge on with shouts)
goad (urge with or as if with a goad)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Sentence example:
They prod him to write the letter
Derivation:
prod; prodding (a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Poke or thrust abruptly
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
Context example:
he jabbed his finger into her ribs
Hypernyms (to "prod" is one way to...):
thrust (push forcefully)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s somebody PP
Somebody ----s something PP
Derivation:
prod (a pointed instrument that is used to prod into a state of motion)
Context examples
Yet again, in this new orientation, it was the thumb of circumstance that pressed and prodded him, softening that which had become hard and remoulding it into fairer form.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
The young woman pressed and prodded the wasted muscles, resting her body on her knees, her bowed head hidden as in a cloud by her black wealth of hair.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
I felt a prod at the back of my neck, and turned dizzy with the shock.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
He was brought from his nest to the fire and was pressed and prodded till he cried out many times.
(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)
Shouting, making threatening gestures with my club, and even prodding the lazy ones, I quickly cut out a score of the young bachelors from their companions.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
He talked with a quartermaster off duty, an intelligent man who promptly prodded him with the socialist propaganda and forced into his hands a bunch of leaflets and pamphlets.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
I was prodding for my food into a camp-kettle when they were howling for their pap.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Then again came the prod of his instinct and the warning of past experience.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
Norton was sensitive and excitable, though he never lost his head, while Kreis and Hamilton were like a pair of cold-blooded savages, seeking out tender places to prod and poke.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
“That is a very strong prod of yours,” said Johnston, shaking his grizzled head as he glanced at the thick arch and powerful strings of his rival's arbalest.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"Those who have one foot in the canoe, and one foot in the boat, are going to fall into the river." (Native American proverb, Tuscarora)
"A monkey that amuses me is better than a deer astray." (Arabic proverb)
"A thin cat and a fat woman are the shame of a household." (Corsican proverb)