I. prod 1 /prɒd $ prɑːd/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle prodded , present participle prodding ) [intransitive and transitive]
1 . to quickly push something or someone with your finger or a pointed object SYN poke :
‘Don’t go to sleep,’ she said, prodding me in the ribs.
prod at
Theo prodded at the dead snake.
2 . to make someone do something by persuading or reminding them that it is necessary, especially when they are lazy or unwilling
prod somebody into (doing) something
It had prodded Ben into doing something about it.
The strike may prod the government into action.
—prodding noun [uncountable] :
He’s a bright kid, but he needs prodding.
II. prod 2 BrE AmE noun [countable usually singular]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Origin: Perhaps from brod 'pointed stick for making an animal go forward' (14-19 centuries) , probably from Old Norse broddr 'spike' ]
1 . especially British English a quick pushing movement, using your finger or a pointed object SYN poke :
‘Go on,’ he whispered, giving me a prod in the back.
2 . British English when you persuade or remind someone to do something:
Why don’t you ring the shop and give them a prod?
3 . a pointed instrument used for pushing animals, to make them move:
a cattle prod