rod Hear it!

rod Definition

rod (räd)

noun

  1. a straight, slender shoot or stem cut from, or still part of, a bush or tree
  2. Bible an offshoot or branch of a family or tribe; stock or race
  3. any straight, or almost straight, stick, shaft, bar, staff, etc., of wood, metal, or other material curtain rods, a lightning rod
    1. a stick or switch, or a bundle of sticks or switches, for beating as punishment
    2. punishment; chastisement: usually with the
    1. a staff, scepter, etc., carried as a symbol of office, rank, or power
    2. power; authority; often, tyrannical rule
  6. fishing rod
  7. a stick used to measure something
    1. a unit of length in the FPS system, equal to 16.5 feet or 5.5 yards (5.0292 meters): abbrev. rd
    2. a square rod, equal to 30.25 square yards (25.2929 square meters)
  9. ☆ Slang a pistol or revolver
  10. ☆ Slang hot rod
  11. Anat. any of the rod-shaped cells in the retina of the vertebrate eye that are sensitive to dim light
  12. Bacteriology any microorganism shaped like a bacillus

Etymology: ME rodde < OE rodd, akin to ON rudda, club, prob. < IE base *rēt-, *rōt-, bar, beam > L retae, trees on a river bank

rod Related Forms
rod′·like′ adjective
rod Idioms

ride the rods

or hit the rods☆

Slang to steal a ride on a freight train

rod Synonyms

rod

n.

  1. A rodlike body

    staff, bar, pole, wand, stave, baton, spike, pin, rodule, cylinder, bacillus, bacillary body, bacilliform body, cylindrical object, scepter, mace, stick, twig, switch, whip, stock, stalk, trunk; see also stick.

  2. A fishing rod

    pole, bamboo, rod and reel, tackle.

    Kinds of fishing rods include: steel, jointed, bamboo, willow, bait, trolling, casting, fly, trout, salmon, bass, deep-sea, tarpon, swordfish.

rod Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • dowse: We went to the back of the kitchens and used dowsing rods in order to communicate to any spirits down there.
  • connect: The connecting rod is made from 1mm copper wire.
  • weld: A simple gadget can easily be made from thin wire, garden wire or thin welding rod is ideal.

Adjective modifier

  • telescopic: They were both young and were using little telescopic rods with little floats.
  • spinning: A 10ft spinning rod rated up to 60g is ideal.
  • hazel: Hazel rods were taken by Irish settlers to the US to keep away snakes.
  • unmade: The central pocket is large enough to accomodate an umbrella even with sides, plus several unmade rods.
  • mid-range: It is designed to cast weights up to 70g. £ 24.95 Kevin Maddocks Carp Rod - Kevin's new mid-range carp rod.
  • stainless: A stainless steel piston rod is also an option.

Modifies a noun

  • holdall: The pick of the products for me tho are the new Apache Speed rod holdalls.
  • pod: Two external pockets for umbrella, landing net, rod pod, bank sticks etc. Padded adjustable carrying strap, padded carrying handle.
  • photoreceptor: My postgraduate research in Robert Molday's laboratory was to investigate the function of bovine retinal rod photoreceptor proteins in the phototransduction process.

Noun used with modifier

  • carp: The carp rod is a 12ft, two piece rod, with a test curve of 2.5lbs.
  • piston: The center hole in the end cover is for the piston rod whilst the hole to the left is for the pressure relief valve.
  • coupling: The coupling rods were then fitted back on the wheels.
  • con: Machine the OD to fit the con rod including extra diameter for the press fit.
  • lightning: Living with a lightning rod for trouble has its advantages.
  • truss: Two carbon fiber rods within the neck, positioned each side of the truss rod to stabilize the neck.

Preposition: of

  • iron: Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

Preposition: with

  • reel: Lockable storage for 12 rods with reels in cockpit.
rod Quotes

A wit's a feather, and a chief a rod; An honest man's the noblest work of God.

—Pope, Alexander

As fattening is the first duty of fashionable female life, it must be duly enforced by the rod if necessary. I got up a bit of flirtation with missy, and induced her to rise and shake hands with me. Her face was lovely, but her body was as round as a ball.

—Speke,John Hanning

The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want. He makes me down to lie In pastures green: he leadeth me the quiet waters by. My soul he doth restore again: and me to walk doth make Within the paths of righteousness, ev'n for his own name's sake. Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale, yet will I fear no ill: For thou art with me; and thy rod and staff me comfort still.

—Scottish Metrical Psalms

   The L ismy shepherd; Ishall not want.He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.Yea, though I walk through the valleyof theshadow of death,I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the L for ever.

—Bible (Old Testament)

And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the L shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the L.

—Bible (Old Testament)

And heshall rulethemwith a rod of iron; asthevessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers.

—Bible (NewTestament)

Love is a boy, by poets styled, Then spare the rod, and spoil the child.

—Butler, Samuel

He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

—Bible (Old Testament)

There is a kind of strength that is almost frightening in black women. It's as if a steel rod runs right through the head down to the feet.

—Angelou, Maya originally MayaJohnson

The rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.

—Bible (Old Testament)

Throw away thy rod, Throw away thy wrath: O my God, Take the gentle path.

—Herbert, George

Does the eagle know what's in the pit Or wilt thou go ask the mole? Can wisdom be put in a silver rod, Or Love in a golden bowl.

—Blake,William