scud

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to move quickly and smoothly, especially when driven by the wind

   Dark clouds scudded across the moon before the storm.

2. 2
   noun

   low, fast-moving clouds or spray driven by the wind

   The fishing boat vanished behind a veil of scud and rain.

3. 3
   noun

   the act of moving rapidly before a strong wind

   The vessel's wild scud before the gale alarmed the crew.

Probably from a Scandinavian source related to Old Norse skjota, 'to shoot or thrust,' also reflected in scoot. Its swift-motion sense was applied especially to ships, clouds, rain, and spray driven by a gale.

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