Meaning of spud in English

1. Pronunciation

   /spəd/

   US accent

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   UK accent

   How to pronounce spud in British English, in context ▾
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1. Verb

   spud

   Definitions

   1. initiate onsite drilling operations, as for petroleum

   Examples

   • « The well was spudded in April »
2. 2. produce buds, branches, or germinate

   Examples

   • « the potatoes sprouted »

3. Noun

   spud

   Etymology

   late Middle English (denoting a short knife): of unknown origin. The sense ‘potato’ (dating from the mid 19th century) was originally slang and dialect

   Definitions

   1. an edible tuber native to South America

   Examples

   • « a staple food of Ireland »
4. 2. a sharp hand shovel for digging out roots and weeds