prod

prod
    n 1: a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something;
         "the ceaseless prodding got on his nerves" [syn: {goad},
         {goading}, {prod}, {prodding}, {urging}, {spur},
         {spurring}]
    2: a pointed instrument that is used to prod into a state of
       motion [syn: {prod}, {goad}]
    v 1: to push against gently; "She nudged my elbow when she saw
         her friend enter the restaurant" [syn: {nudge}, {poke at},
         {prod}]
    2: urge on; cause to act; "The other children egged the boy on,
       but he did not want to throw the stone through the window"
       [syn: {prod}, {incite}, {egg on}]
    3: poke or thrust abruptly; "he jabbed his finger into her ribs"
       [syn: {jab}, {prod}, {stab}, {poke}, {dig}]
    

Prod \Prod\, n. [Cf. Gael. & Ir. brod goad, prickle, sting, and
   E. brad, also W. procio to poke, thrust.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. A pointed instrument for pricking or puncturing, as a
      goad, an awl, a skewer, etc.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A prick or stab which a pointed instrument.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. A light kind of crossbow; -- in the sense, often spelled
      prodd. --Fairholt.
      [1913 Webster]
    

Prod \Prod\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prodded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Prodding}.]
   To thrust some pointed instrument into; to prick with
   something sharp; as, to prod a soldier with a bayonet; to
   prod oxen; hence, to goad, to incite, to worry; as, to prod a
   student. --H. Taylor.
   [1913 Webster]
    

116 Moby Thesaurus words for "prod":
      activate, actuate, annoy, assault, badger, bear, bear upon,
      bearing, boost, buck, bull, bulldoze, bump, bump against, bunt,
      butt, butt against, carp at, cavil, come in contact, cram, crowd,
      cue, dig, drive, egg on, elbow, encourage, excite, exhort, feel,
      feel of, finger, flick, flog, force, gad, gadfly, goad, grope,
      handle, harass, head, hector, henpeck, hound, hurtle, hustle,
      impel, incite, instigate, irk, irritate, jab, jam, jog, joggle,
      jolt, jostle, lash, manipulate, motivate, move, nag, needle, nudge,
      oxgoad, palm, palpate, paw, pester, pile drive, pique, plague, ply,
      poke, poke at, press, pressure, prick, prompt, propel, provoke,
      punch, push, quick look, ram, ram down, rattle, reminder, rouse,
      rowel, run, run against, shake, shoulder, shove, sic, signal, spur,
      stimulate, stimulus, sting, stir, stress, tamp, tap,
      tentative examination, thrust, thumb, touch, twiddle, urge, whip,
      whiplash, wield