/ɡoʊd/
goad 作动词,意为"刺激、激怒、驱使",指通过不断的挑衅或施压促使某人采取行动。作名词,意为"赶牛棒",也引申为"刺激物、驱动力"。
Don't let his words goad you into a fight.
别让他的话激怒你去打架。
The constant criticism from her rivals goaded her into working harder than ever before.
来自对手的不断批评驱使她比以往任何时候都更加努力。
goad 源自古英语 gād,意为"矛尖、尖棒",最初指用于驱赶牲畜的带尖头的长棒。这个词与古诺尔斯语 gaddr(钉子、尖刺)同源,可追溯到原始日耳曼语。后来词义从具体的工具引申为抽象的"刺激、激励"之意,比喻像用尖棒驱赶牛一样驱使某人行动。