goad

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goad / gōd/ • n. a spiked stick used for driving cattle. ∎  a thing that stimulates someone into action: for him the visit was a goad to renewed effort.• v. [tr.] provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate some action or reaction: he goaded her on to more daring revelations. ∎  [tr.] drive or urge (an animal) on with a goad.

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