/ prɒd; NAmE prɑːd/ verb , noun
■ verb ( -dd- )
1.
prod (at) sb/sth to push sb/sth with your finger or with a pointed object
SYN poke :
[ vn ]
She prodded him in the ribs to wake him up.
[ v ]
He prodded at his breakfast with a fork.
2.
[ vn ] prod sb (into sth / into doing sth) to try to make sb do sth, especially when they are unwilling :
She finally prodded him into action.
■ noun
1.
the act of pushing sb with your finger or with a pointed object
SYN dig :
She gave him a sharp prod with her umbrella.
2.
( informal ) an act of encouraging sb or of reminding sb to do sth :
If they haven't replied by next week, you'll have to call them and give them a prod .
3.
an instrument like a stick that is used for prodding animals
4.
Prod (also Prod·die / ˈprɒdi; NAmE ˈprɑːdi/) ( informal ) an offensive word for a Protestant
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (as a verb): perhaps symbolic of a short poking movement, or a blend of poke and dialect brod to goad, prod . The noun dates from the mid 18th cent.