shovel

shovel
    n 1: a hand tool for lifting loose material; consists of a
         curved container or scoop and a handle
    2: the quantity a shovel can hold [syn: {shovel}, {shovelful},
       {spadeful}]
    3: a fire iron consisting of a small shovel used to scoop coals
       or ashes in a fireplace
    4: a machine for excavating [syn: {power shovel}, {excavator},
       {digger}, {shovel}]
    v 1: dig with or as if with a shovel; "shovel sand"; "he
         shovelled in the backyard all afternoon long"
    

Shovel \Shov"el\, n. [OE. shovele, schovele, AS. scoft, sceoft;
   akin to D. schoffel, G. schaufel, OHG. sc?vala, Dan. skovl,
   Sw. skofvel, skyffel, and to E. shove. [root]160. See
   {Shove}, v. t.]
   An implement consisting of a broad scoop, or more or less
   hollow blade, with a handle, used for lifting and throwing
   earth, coal, grain, or other loose substances.
   [1913 Webster]

   {Shovel hat}, a broad-brimmed hat, turned up at the sides,
      and projecting in front like a shovel, -- worn by some
      clergy of the English Church. [Colloq.]

   {Shovelspur} (Zool.), a flat, horny process on the tarsus of
      some toads, -- used in burrowing.

   {Steam shovel}, a machine with a scoop or scoops, operated by
      a steam engine, for excavating earth, as in making railway
      cuttings.
      [1913 Webster]
    

Shovel \Shov"el\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Shoveled}or {Shovelled};
   p. pr. & vb. n. {Shoveling} or {Shovelling}.]
   1. To take up and throw with a shovel; as, to shovel earth
      into a heap, or into a cart, or out of a pit.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To gather up as with a shovel.
      [1913 Webster]
    

59 Moby Thesaurus words for "shovel":
      backhoe, bail, bar spade, bore, bucket, burrow, coal shovel, cup,
      decant, delve, dig, dig out, dike, dip, dish, dish out, dish up,
      dredge, drill, drive, excavate, fork, furrow, garden spade, gouge,
      gouge out, groove, grub, gumming spade, ladle, lower, loy, mine,
      peat spade, posthole spade, pour, power shovel, quarry,
      salt shovel, sap, scoop, scoop out, scoop shovel, scrabble, scrape,
      scratch, scuff, shamble, sink, spade, split shovel, spoon, spud,
      steam shovel, stump spud, trench, trenching spade, trough,
      tunnel