I. ˈgad, ˈgaa(ə)d noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English gad, gadd, from Old Norse gaddr spike, sting — more at yard (measure)
1.
a. obsolete : a sharp-pointed metal rod or stylus
b. archaic : spear
c. : a chisel or pointed or wedge-shaped bar of iron or steel for breaking or loosening ore or rock
d. West : spur
2.
a. archaic : a bar or ingot of metal
b. : a heraldic bearing supposed to represent such a gad sometimes depicted as a plain rectangle with the vertical dimension greater than the horizontal one and sometimes with a third dimension showing along the edge
3. dialect : rod , stick : as
a. : a stiff whip or switch
b. chiefly Scotland : fishing rod
II. verb
( gadded ; gadded ; gadding ; gads )
intransitive verb
: to use a gad
transitive verb
: to break or loosen (as rock) with a gad in mining
III. intransitive verb
( gadded ; gadded ; gadding ; gads )
Etymology: Middle English gadden
1.
a. : to go or wander about especially idly or for trivial purposes (as to gossip) — often used with about
the women were gadding about gossiping instead of spending the day industriously — Ernest Beaglehole
gadding about at political meetings — H.M.Parshley
b. obsolete : to run wild : dash about in an uncontrolled manner
2. of an arrow : to fly erratically
IV. noun
( -s )
: the act of gadding : a wandering about usually on rather trivial errands — now used chiefly in the phrases on the gad and upon the gad
V. interjection
Etymology: euphemism for God
— a mild oath
VI. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Irish Gaelic, from Middle Irish gat willow twig — more at yard (measure)
: a band or rope made of twisted straw or osiers