prod

Universal Words verb, noun verb (-dd-) 1 ~ (at) sb/sth to push sb/sth with your finger or with a pointed object SYNPOKE: [VN] She prodded him in the ribs to wake him up. * [V] He prodded at his breakfast with a fork. 2 [VN] ~ sb (into sth / into doing sth) to try to make sb do sth, especially when they are unwilling: She finally prodded him into action. noun 1 the act of pushing sb with your finger or with a pointed object: She gave him a sharp prod with her umbrella. 2 (informal) an act of encouraging sb or of reminding sb to do sth: If they haven't replied by next week, you'll have to call them and give them a prod. 3 an instrument like a stick that is used for prodding animals