scud
UK[skʌd]US[skʌd]
v
to move or run quickly, often with a smooth, gliding motion, especially of clouds or ships.
n
clouds, rain, or spray driven fast by the wind; also, a type of fast-moving missile.
Etymology
the word 'scud' entered english in the mid-16th century, originally as a verb describing the action of moving swiftly and lightly. its probable source is the old norse verb 'skjóta', meaning 'to shoot', which connects to the proto-germanic root skeutaną. this ancient root conveys a sense of rapid, projectile motion. over time, the verb's application broadened from general swift movement to the specific meteorological sense of clouds or spray being driven fast by the wind, capturing the same essence of being propelled forward. the noun form, denoting the fast-moving clouds or missiles themselves, developed naturally from this verbal action.
Analysis
this word is considered a simplex form. it is likely of scandinavian origin, related to norwegian 'skudda' (to push, to shove) and old norse 'skjóta' (to shoot).
Examples
dark clouds began to scud across the sky as the storm approached.
we felt the first scud of rain carried on the fierce gale.
the small boat scudded before the wind, reaching the harbor safely.