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spade

1. An implement for digging or cutting the ground, consisting usually of an oblong and nearly rectangular blade of iron, with a handle like that of a shovel. With spade and pickax armed.

2. One of that suit of cards each of which bears one or more figures resembling a spade. 'Let spades be trumps! she said. (pope)

3. A cutting instrument used in flensing a whale. Spade bayonet, a bayonet with a broad blade which may be used digging; called also trowel bayonet.

4. (Science: machinery) Spade handle, the forked end of a connecting rod in which a pin is held at both ends.

5. (Science: zoology) A hart or stag three years old.

Alternative forms: spaid, spayade.

Origin: AS. Spaed; spada; akin to D. Spade, G. Spaten, Icel. Spathi, Dan. & Sw. Spade, L. Spatha a spatula, a broad two-edged sword, a spathe, Gr. Spaqh. Cf. Epaulet, Spade at cards, Spathe, Spatula.