from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Wad \Wad\, n. [Probably of Scand. origin; cf. Sw. vadd wadding,
Dan vat, D. & G. watte. Cf. {Wadmol}.]
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1. A little mass, tuft, or bundle, as of hay or tow.
--Holland.
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2. Specifically: A little mass of some soft or flexible
material, such as hay, straw, tow, paper, or old rope
yarn, used for retaining a charge of powder in a gun, or
for keeping the powder and shot close; also, to diminish
or avoid the effects of windage. Also, by extension, a
dusk of felt, pasteboard, etc., serving a similar purpose.
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3. A soft mass, especially of some loose, fibrous substance,
used for various purposes, as for stopping an aperture,
padding a garment, etc.
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{Wed hook}, a rod with a screw or hook at the end, used for
removing the wad from a gun.
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