I. ˈwād verb
( wad·ed ; wad·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wadan; akin to Old High German watan to go, wade, Latin vadere to go
Date: 13th century
intransitive verb
1. : to step in or through a medium (as water) offering more resistance than air
2. : to move or proceed with difficulty or labor
wade through the crowd
wade through all the evidence
3. : to set to work or attack with determination or vigor — used with in or into
wade into a task
transitive verb
: to pass or cross by wading
• wad·able or wade·able ˈwā-də-bəl adjective
II. noun
Date: 1665
: an act of wading
a wade in the brook