/prɒd; prɑd/
v (-dd-)
1 [I, Ipr, Tn] ~ (at sb/sth) push or poke (sb/sth) with a finger or some other pointed object （用手指或其他尖物）刺, 戳, 捅（某人[某物]）
*They prodded (at) the animal through the bars of its cage. 他们隔着笼子的栏杆用尖东西捅那动物. =>Usage at nudge 用法见nudge.
2 [Tn, Tn.pr, Cn.t] ~ sb (into/doing sth) (infml 口) (try to) make (a slow or unwilling person) do sth; urge （试图）促使或推动（某人）做某事; 激励
*She is a fairly good worker, but she needs prodding occasionally. 她干起活来倒是相当不错, 不过有时需要加以督促.
* He needs a crisis to prod him into action. 他要事到临头才被迫采取行动.
* I shall have to prod him to pay me what he owes. 我将不得不催促他把欠我的钱还给我.

n
1 poke or thrust 刺; 戳; 捅
*She gave the man a prod with her umbrella. 她用伞捅了那男子一下.
2 (infml 口) stimulus to action 激励; 激发; 促进; 推动
*If you don't receive an answer quickly, give them a prod.你要是不能很快得到答覆, 不妨催他们一下.
3 instrument for prodding 刺或戳所用的工具.