Etymology : probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian skudda to push
Pronunciation : 'sk&d
Function : intransitive verb
Date : 1532
1. type of short-range surface-to-surface missile (Military). act of moving swiftly; wind-driven cloud or mist; rain shower. move swiftly, pass quickly. 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. ?159. see:
shoot.].
2. 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. taylor. the wind was high; the vast white clouds scudded over the blue heaven.
3. (naut.) to be driven swiftly, or to run, before a gale, with little or no sail spread.scud \scud\, v. t. to pass over quickly. [r.]scud \scud\, n.
4. the act of scudding; a driving along; a rushing with precipitation.
5. loose, vapory clouds driven swiftly by the wind. borne on the scud of the sea. the scud was flying fast above us, throwing a veil over the moon. s. baker.
6. a slight, sudden shower. [prov. eng.].
7. (zo?l.) a small flight of larks, or other birds, less than a flock. [prov. eng.].
8. (zo?l.) any swimming amphipod crustacean.
9. To move swiftly; especially, to move as if driven forward by something.
10. To be driven swiftly, or to run, before a gale, with little or no sail spread.
11. To pass over quickly.
12. The act of scudding; a driving along; a rushing with precipitation.
13. Loose, vapory clouds driven swiftly by the wind.
14. A slight, sudden shower.
15. A small flight of larks, or other birds, less than a flock.
16. Any swimming amphipod crustacean. the act of moving along swiftly run before a gale.
17. If clouds scud along, they move quickly and smoothly through the sky. heavy, rain-laden clouds scudding across from the south-west. if clouds scud across the sky, they move quickly (Probably from a language).