Goads
/ɡoʊdz/noun
Plural of goad: a pointed stick used to drive animals, or something that urges a person to action.
Did you know?The verb and noun goad come from a Germanic root for a pointed stick, and the same deep root also helped shape words for “spear” and “point,” turning sharpness into a language of control.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰē-
“to sharpen, pierce, or point”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*gaudaz
“a pointed stick or shaft”
Old English
OE
gād
“a pointed stick used to urge animals”
Middle English
ME
gode
“a goad; a sharp prod or spur”
Modern English
English
goad
“a pointed stick for driving animals; something that stimulates or provokes action”