Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Scud?

\Scud\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Scudded}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Scudding}.] [Dan. skyde to shoot, shove, push, akin to skud shot, gunshot, a shoot, young bough, and to E. shoot. [root]159. See {Shoot}.] 1. To move swiftly; especially, to move as if driven forward by something. The first nautilus that scudded upon the glassy surface of warm primeval oceans. --I. Taylor. The wind was high; the vast white clouds scudded over the blue heaven. --Beaconsfield. 2. (Naut.) To be driven swiftly, or to run, before a gale, with little or no sail spread.
\Scud\, v. t. To pass over quickly. [R.] --Shenstone.
\Scud\, n. 1. The act of scudding; a driving along; a rushing with precipitation. 2. Loose, vapory clouds driven swiftly by the wind. Borne on the scud of the sea. --Longfellow. The scud was flying fast above us, throwing a veil over the moon. --Sir S. Baker. 3. A slight, sudden shower. [Prov. Eng.] --Wright. 4. (Zo["o]l.) A small flight of larks, or other birds, less than a flock. [Prov. Eng.] 5. (Zo["o]l.) Any swimming amphipod crustacean. {Storm scud}. See the Note under {Cloud}.