Hypertext Webster Gateway: "goad"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Goad
(Heb. malmad, only in Judg. 3: 31), an instrument used by
ploughmen for guiding their oxen. Shamgar slew six hundred
Philistines with an ox-goad. "The goad is a formidable weapon.
It is sometimes ten feet long, and has a sharp point. We could
now see that the feat of Shamgar was not so very wonderful as
some have been accustomed to think."
In 1 Sam. 13:21, a different Hebrew word is used, _dorban_,
meaning something pointed. The expression (Acts 9:5, omitted in
the R.V.), "It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks",
i.e., against the goad, was proverbial for unavailing resistance
to superior power.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Goad \Goad\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Goaded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Goading}.]
To prick; to drive with a goad; hence, to urge forward, or to
rouse by anything pungent, severe, irritating, or inflaming;
to stimulate.
That temptation that doth goad us on. --Shak.
Syn: To urge; stimulate; excite; arouse; irritate; incite;
instigate.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Goad \Goad\, n. [AS. g[=a]d; perh. akin to AS. g[=a]r a dart,
and E. gore. See {Gore}, v. t.]
A pointed instrument used to urge on a beast; hence, any
necessity that urges or stimulates.
The daily goad urging him to the daily toil.
--Macaulay.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
goad
n 1: a pointed instrument used to prod into motion [syn: {prod}]
2: a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something;
"the ceaseless prodding got on his nerves" [syn: {goading},
{prod}, {prodding}, {urging}, {spur}, {spurring}]
v 1: give heart or courage to [syn: {spur}]
2: urge with or as if with a goad
3: prod or urge as if with a log stick [syn: {prick}]
4: goad or provoke,as by constant criticism; "He needled her
with his sarcastic remarks" [syn: {nettle}, {needle}]
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