SPADE

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English spadu; akin to Greek spathē blade of a sword or oar Date: before 12th century a digging implement adapted for being pushed into the ground with the foot, a ~-shaped instrument, ~ful noun II. verb (~d; spading) Date: circa 1647 transitive verb to dig up or out or shape with or as if with a ~, intransitive verb to use a ~, ~r noun III. noun Etymology: Italian spada or Spanish espada broadsword; both from Latin spatha, from Greek spathē blade Date: circa 1598 1. the suit comprising cards marked ~s, a black figure that resembles a stylized spearhead on each playing card of one of the four suits, black 4