rod en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ɾɒd/ (Wales)
- /ɾɔd/ (Scotland)
- /ɹɔd/ (Australia)
- /ɹɒd/ (Northern-England, Received-Pronunciation)
- [ɹɔ̟d] ~ [ɹɞ̠d] (New-Zealand)
- /ɹɔd/ (British, Southern, Standard)
- (General-American) audio
- (US) audio
- /ɹɒd/ (New-Zealand)
- /ɹɑd/ (US)
- /ɹɒd/ (Canada)
Etymology
Etymology tree Old English *rodd Middle English rodde English rod From Middle English rodde, from Old English *rodd or *rodde (attested in dative plural roddum (“rod, pole”)), of uncertain origin, but probably from Proto-Germanic *rudd- (“stick, club”), from Proto-Indo-European *rewdʰ- (“to clear land”). Compare Old Norse rudda (“club”). For the root, compare English rid. Presumably unrelated to Proto-Germanic *rōdō (“rod, pole”).
Meanings
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A straight, round stick, shaft, bar, cane, or staff.
Which makes the concept known as Rods From God the ultimate form of kinetic weaponry. This theoretical weapon would drop telephone pole sized rods of dense tungsten from a satellite in orbit. Picking up speed with each passing second, the rod would then penetrate the ground and generate an explosion akin to a small nuclear weapon using nothing but gravity for its propulsion.
2025 May 12, Jeff Edwards, “Rods from God: Unleashing Orbital Kinetic Bombardment as a Theoretical Defense System”, in Mira Safety:The circus strong man proved his strength by bending an iron rod, and then straightening it.
- A longitudinal pole used for forming part of a framework such as an awning or tent.
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A long slender usually tapering pole used for angling; fishing rod.
When I hooked a snake and not a fish, I got so scared I dropped my rod in the water.
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A stick, pole, or bundle of switches or twigs (such as a birch), used for personal defense or to administer corporal punishment by whipping.
So was I brought up: they tell mee, that in all my youth, I never felt rod [translating verges] but twice, and that very lightly.
1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 8, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
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An implement resembling and/or supplanting a rod (particularly a cane) that is used for corporal punishment, and metonymically called the rod, regardless of its actual shape and composition.
The judge imposed on the thief a sentence of fifteen strokes with the rod.
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A stick used to measure distance, by using its established length or task-specific temporary marks along its length, or by dint of specific graduated marks.
I notched a rod and used it to measure the length of rope to cut.
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(archaic) A unit of length equal to 1 pole, a perch, ¹⁄₄ chain, 5+¹⁄₂ yards, 16+¹⁄₂ feet, or exactly 5.0292 meters (these being all equivalent).
the valley is forty to sixty rods wide
1924, Edward A. Ross, “Pocketed Americans”, in World Drift, New York; London: The Century Co., published 1928, page 68:In one of the villages I saw the next summer a cow tethered by a rope six rods long[…].
1865, Henry David Thoreau, Cape Cod:A few rods farther led him past the old black Presbyterian church, with its square tower, embowered in a stately grove; past the Catholic church, with its many crosses, and a painted wooden figure of St. James in a recess beneath the gable; and past the old Jefferson House, once the leading hotel of the town, in front of which political meetings had been held, and political speeches made, and political hard cider drunk, in the days of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too."
1900, Charles W[addell] Chesnutt, chapter I, in The House Behind the Cedars, Boston, Mass.; New York, N.Y.: Houghton, Mifflin and Company […], →OCLC:‘And this thicket, so full of a natural art, was in the immediate vicinity, within a few rods, of the dwelling of Madame Deluc, whose boys were in the habit of closely examining the shrubberies about them in search of the bark of the sassafras.’
1842, Edgar Allan Poe, The Mystery of Marie Rogêt:
- An implement held vertically and viewed through an optical surveying instrument such as a transit, used to measure distance in land surveying and construction layout; an engineer's rod, surveyor's rod, surveying rod, leveling rod, ranging rod. The modern (US) engineer's or surveyor's rod commonly is eight or ten feet long and often designed to extend higher. In former times a surveyor's rod often was a single wooden pole or composed of multiple sectioned and socketed pieces, and besides serving as a sighting target was used to measure distance on the ground horizontally, hence for convenience was of one rod or pole in length, that is, 5+¹⁄₂ yards.
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(archaic) A unit of area equal to a square rod, 30+¹⁄₄ square yards or ¹⁄₁₆₀ acre.
The house had a small yard of about six rods in size.
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A straight bar that unites moving parts of a machine, for holding parts together as a connecting rod or for transferring power as a driveshaft.
The engine threw a rod, and then went to pieces before our eyes, springs and coils shooting in all directions.
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A rod cell: a rod-shaped cell in the eye that is sensitive to light.
The rods are more sensitive than the cones, but do not discern color.
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Any of a number of long, slender microorganisms.
He applied a gram positive stain, looking for rods indicative of Listeria.
- A stirring rod: a glass rod, typically about 6 inches to 1 foot long and ¹⁄₈ to ¹⁄₄ inch in diameter that can be used to stir liquids in flasks or beakers.
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(slang) A pistol; a gun.
One of them strode to his side and ran experienced fingers through his clothes. "No rod," he reported, "where's the jewelry?"
1916 August 14, The Electrical Experimenter, New York, page 249, column 1:
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(slang, vulgar) The penis.
[I'm gonna][…]throw some vaseline right in the crack a your ass, then I'm gonna shove my rod in your open hole and try to pacify your ornery soul.
2004, Bruce Jackson, Get Your Ass in the Water and Swim Like Me:
- (slang) A hot rod, an automobile or other passenger motor vehicle modified to run faster and often with exterior cosmetic alterations, especially one based originally on a pre-1940s model or (currently) denoting any older vehicle thus modified.
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A rod-shaped object that appears in photographs or videos traveling at high speed, not seen by the person recording the event, often associated with extraterrestrial entities.
He tells of a home video showing a rod flying into the open mouth of a girl singing at a wedding.
2010, Deena West Budd, The Weiser Field Guide to Cryptozoology: Werewolves, Dragons, Skyfish, Lizard Men, and Other Fascinating Creatures Real and Mysterious, Weiser Books, page 15:These cylindrical rods fly through the air at incredible speeds and can only be picked up by high-speed cameras.
2000, Jack Barranger, Paul Tice, Mysteries Explored: The Search for Human Origins, Ufos, and Religious Beginnings, Book Three, p.37:During one such broadcast in 1997, the esteemed radio host bellowed, “I got a fax earlier today from MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) in Arizona and they said what you think are rods are actually insects!”
2009, Barry Conrad, An Unknown Encounter: A True Account of the San Pedro Haunting, Dorrance Publishing, pages 129–130:
- A Cuisenaire rod.
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A coupling rod or connecting rod, which links the driving wheels of a steam locomotive, and some diesel shunters and early electric locomotives.
In the early days troubles were experienced with oscillation from the rod drive and with the transformers, but were overcome later, and these machines performed useful service until superseded by more modern locomotives less costly in maintenance.
1960 December, Cecil J. Allen, “Operating a mountain main line: the Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon: Part One”, in Trains Illustrated, page 743:
- A drain rod, being a set of segmented rods with interlocking connectors designed to remain attached even under rotation in use.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| rods | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
rod-on · rodfisher · picture rod · anglerod · rodmaker · spare the rod and spoil the child · wiki.openstreetmap.org · rodlike · rodster · Rhineland rod · fuckrod · rodlet · rodshaped · siderod · pushrod · coupling rod · axlerod · drawrod · tie rod · forty-rod · street rod · rod for one's back · shepherd's rod · trolling-rod · glow rod · curtain rod · spinning rod · rod numeral · range rod · rod in OSM] · Auer rod · rule with a rod of iron · rod for one's breech · rodmeter · rod line · flying rod · stair rod · rodmaking · Lenker rod · rack rod · Aaron's rod · nanorod · rodder · rodsman · measuring rod · polyrod · rod of Asclepius · Lightning_conductor Lightning conductor · meat rod · counting rod · rod ring · Mosaical rod · rod in pickle · riding-rod · kiss the rod · fit rod · rodfishing · fly-rod · hot rod · tension rod · ferrod · truss rod · myorod · radius rod · thunder rod · rod pod · flyrod · flatrod · connecting rod · dowsing rod · rodless · limerod · Cuisenaire rod · rod machine · cleaning rod · Wheatstone's rod · rod-shaped · fly rod · fuel rod · control rod · interrod · lightning rod · rodwork · piston rod · conrod · dicker-rod · rat rod · rod for one's own back · nail rod · boning rod · carpet rod · wiki · roddy · skirod · rod for one's own breech · spare the rod, spoil the child · rod-headed · put a rod in pickle · rodman · plug rod · ramrod · divining rod · goldenrod · sounding rod · stunrod · microrod · green rod · con rod · rodbuster
Relateds
Synonyms
Translations (323)
fa-ira میلِه (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · eo vergo (stick or bundle used for punishment) · eo kaco (slang: penis) · sh štȃp (stick to measure length) · da stang (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · hy ձող (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · fr tige (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · de Messstab (stick to measure length) · uk брус (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · ru шток (connector, part of a machine) · mi tautara (fishing rod or pole) · sh ба̀тина (stick or bundle used for punishment) · de Gestänge (a longitudinal pole forming part of a framework such as an awning or tent.) · de Angel (fishing rod or pole) · fr verges (stick or bundle used for punishment) · ru брус (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · vi cần câu (fishing rod or pole) · de Bolzen (connector, part of a machine) · ja 釣り竿 (fishing rod or pole) · sh ро̀зга (stick or bundle used for punishment) · es vara (stick or bundle used for punishment) · sh ròzga (stick or bundle used for punishment) · ru па́лочка (part of the retina of the eye — see also rod cell) · tr sopa (stick or bundle used for punishment) · ja 杆体 (part of the retina of the eye — see also rod cell) · pl pręt (stick to measure length) · sv spö (stick or bundle used for punishment) · it barra (connector, part of a machine) · sh štȃp (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · it pertica (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · mk стапче (microbiology: rod shaped microorganism) · de Anker (connector, part of a machine) · it pertica (unit of length) · de Stange (a longitudinal pole forming part of a framework such as an awning or tent.) · it palo (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · nl roede (unit of length) · sh па̏лица (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · ru шта́нга (connector, part of a machine) · nl visgarde (fishing rod or pole) · ja 桿体 (part of the retina of the eye — see also rod cell) · fi mittakeppi (stick to measure length) · mk стап (stick or bundle used for punishment) · ru сте́ржень (connector, part of a machine) · ko 막대 (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sh šȉpka (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · pt vara (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · es barra (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · ja 棒 (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · mi kauawhi (a longitudinal pole forming part of a framework such as an awning or tent.) · fi parru (slang: penis) · uk па́личка (part of the retina of the eye — see also rod cell) · mi pihi (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · tr asa (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · de Achse (connector, part of a machine) · sh ши̏пка (connector, part of a machine) · mi matira (fishing rod or pole) · de Stab (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sh ȕdica (fishing rod or pole) · vi gậy (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · ca canya de pescar (fishing rod or pole) · ja 杆菌 (microbiology: rod shaped microorganism) · fi tanko (connector, part of a machine) · sh пру̑т (stick or bundle used for punishment) · he תא קנה (part of the retina of the eye — see also rod cell) · pt benga (slang: penis) · pl rózga (stick or bundle used for punishment) · sk prút (fishing rod or pole) · de Zuchtrute (stick or bundle used for punishment) · fr verge (archaic: unit of area) · de Spindel (connector, part of a machine) · fi vapa (fishing rod or pole) · de Stäbchenbakterium (microbiology: rod shaped microorganism) · ro vergea (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sh шта̑п (stick to measure length) · ru у́дочка (fishing rod or pole) · mk прачка (stick or bundle used for punishment) · de Pimmel (slang: penis) · mk стап (fishing rod or pole) · nl meetstok (stick to measure length) · el ράβδος (connector, part of a machine) · ru ро́зга (stick or bundle used for punishment) · bg пръ́чка (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · de Halterarm (connector, part of a machine) · pt vara (fishing rod or pole) · ru па́лочка (microbiology: rod shaped microorganism) · ru уди́лище (fishing rod or pole) · bg пръ́чица (part of the retina of the eye — see also rod cell) · sh prȗt (stick or bundle used for punishment) · ee ati (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · it verga (stick or bundle used for punishment) · ja 桿菌 (microbiology: rod shaped microorganism) · sv stake (slang: penis) · bg ре́йка (a longitudinal pole forming part of a framework such as an awning or tent.) · mk осови́на (connector, part of a machine) · nl roede (stick or bundle used for punishment) · de Angelrute (fishing rod or pole) · pox prǫt (fishing rod or pole) · pl drążek (slang: penis) · tr çubuk (stirring rod) · tr balık oltası (fishing rod or pole) · ota دگنك (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · it bastone (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · de Holm (connector, part of a machine) · ml കമ്പി (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sh štȃp (stick or bundle used for punishment) · tr çomak (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · xdq ттяппру́г (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · fr canne à pêche (fishing rod or pole) · ab аҵәгәыр (fishing rod or pole) · de Meßstab (stick to measure length) · uk прут (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · ga liúr (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · mk стап (slang: penis) · de Stäbchenbakterien (microbiology: rod shaped microorganism) · grc ῥάβδος (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · fr zob (slang: penis) · hu pálca (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sh šȉpka (connector, part of a machine) · sh мо̏тка (stick to measure length) · ko 낚싯대 (fishing rod or pole) · bg стълб (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · la baculum (fishing rod or pole) · fr queue (slang: penis) · pt haste (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · bg пръ́чка (stick or bundle used for punishment) · uk стри́жень (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · dsb pšut (stick to measure length) · mn саваа (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · th แท่ง (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · lv nūja (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · da ris (stick or bundle used for punishment) · lv stienis (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sh шта̑п (stick or bundle used for punishment) · nl el (stick to measure length) · pl kij (stick or bundle used for punishment) · sh ши̏пка (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · gl cana (fishing rod or pole) · es rodillo (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · bg въ́дица (fishing rod or pole) · de Lenker (connector, part of a machine) · sv spö (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · de Penis (slang: penis) · bg прът (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · mk шипка (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · de Stäbchenbakterie (microbiology: rod shaped microorganism) · da stang (fishing rod or pole) · pl bagietka (stirring rod) · nl roe (stick or bundle used for punishment) · de Haltearm (connector, part of a machine) · bg сте́ржен (connector, part of a machine) · fi sauvasolu (part of the retina of the eye — see also rod cell) · de Rute (unit of length) · ro băț (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · mi tia (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · be прут (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · it bacchetta (stirring rod) · mk шипка (connector, part of a machine) · ja 竿 (fishing rod or pole) · dsb pšut (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · lv makšķerkāts (fishing rod or pole) · tr karıştırma çubuğu (stirring rod) · eo vergo (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sh пе̏ца̄љка (fishing rod or pole) · cmn 棍子 (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · el ραβδί (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · inh зӏак (fishing rod or pole) · it bastoncello (part of the retina of the eye — see also rod cell) · nl roede (stick to measure length) · th คัน (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · it canna (fishing rod or pole) · ka კვერთხი (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · is stöng (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · es verga (slang: penis) · ka ანკესი (fishing rod or pole) · bg ре́йка (connector, part of a machine) · fi sauvabakteeri (microbiology: rod shaped microorganism) · it verga (slang: penis) · he קָנֶה (part of the retina of the eye — see also rod cell) · ee ati (stick or bundle used for punishment) · dsb pšut (stick or bundle used for punishment) · de Rührstab (stirring rod) · de Stange (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · nl zwik (slang: penis) · de Stäbchen (part of the retina of the eye — see also rod cell) · mi manana (fishing rod or pole) · da stang (connector, part of a machine) · ko 막대기 (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · it stecca (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sv metspö (fishing rod or pole) · bg арши́н (stick to measure length) · ro vargă (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · alt сырык (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · ru прут (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · la virga (stick or bundle used for punishment) · cs tyč (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · tr değnek (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · de Halter (connector, part of a machine) · be стры́жань (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · ia virga (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · fa-ira چوب (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · tr sopa (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · fr bite (slang: penis) · pt rola (slang: penis) · mk прат (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sk tyč (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sv ris (stick or bundle used for punishment) · sv stång (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · mn шургааг (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · pl wędka (fishing rod or pole) · cmn 竿 (fishing rod or pole) · nl hengelroede (fishing rod or pole) · he קְנֵה מִדָּה (stick to measure length) · mk прачка (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · de Welle (connector, part of a machine) · ja 棒 (connector, part of a machine) · it pertica (stick to measure length) · tr olta (fishing rod or pole) · el καλάμι (fishing rod or pole) · fi tanko (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · pt piça (slang: penis) · mk стап (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sh у̏дица (fishing rod or pole) · he מוֹט (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · mk трска (fishing rod or pole) · de Metermaß (stick to measure length) · sv spö (fishing rod or pole) · rup veargã (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sh шта̑п (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · ko 낚시대 (fishing rod or pole) · mk стап (stick to measure length) · da stav (stick or bundle used for punishment) · cmn 桿 /杆 (fishing rod or pole) · pl pałeczka (microbiology: rod shaped microorganism) · vi cần (fishing rod or pole) · de Latte (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · mi tari (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · fi sekoitussauva (stirring rod) · ru па́лка (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · cs prut (fishing rod or pole) · ca verga (slang: penis) · ar عَصًا (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sk rybársky prút (fishing rod or pole) · eu haga (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · nl roede (archaic: unit of area) · sv stav (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sv stång (connector, part of a machine) · dsb pšut (unit of length) · sv stav (part of the retina of the eye — see also rod cell) · de Rute (stick or bundle used for punishment) · da spanskrør (stick or bundle used for punishment) · sh ши̏ба (stick or bundle used for punishment) · he חַכָּה (fishing rod or pole) · pt pica (slang: penis) · km របុក (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · pt barra (connector, part of a machine) · vi que (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · ru шта́нга (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · bg чата́л (slang: penis) · hu rudi (slang: penis) · de Stock (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · fr paf (slang: penis) · pt bacilo (microbiology: rod shaped microorganism) · la tālea (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · ru сте́ржень (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · cs metla (stick or bundle used for punishment) · hi डंडा (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · it canna da pesca (fishing rod or pole) · es fierro (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · es verga (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sh bàtina (stick or bundle used for punishment) · pl pręcik (part of the retina of the eye — see also rod cell) · bg баци́л (microbiology: rod shaped microorganism) · be ву́да (fishing rod or pole) · he מַקֵּל (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · uk ву́дка (fishing rod or pole) · cs tyč (unit of length) · da stavbakterie (microbiology: rod shaped microorganism) · fi vitsa (stick or bundle used for punishment) · ru прут (stick or bundle used for punishment) · pt bastão (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · de Träger (connector, part of a machine) · de Ankerbolzen (connector, part of a machine) · es vírgula (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · pt vara (stick or bundle used for punishment) · ro undiță (fishing rod or pole) · de Stab (a longitudinal pole forming part of a framework such as an awning or tent.) · de Rührstäbchen (stirring rod) · it bacchetta (stick or bundle used for punishment) · cmn 棒 (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sh šȉba (stick or bundle used for punishment) · es vara (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · mi matira (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · pl pręt (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · hi बल्ली (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sh pȅcāljka (fishing rod or pole) · tr balık çomağı (fishing rod or pole) · bg бърка́лка (stirring rod) · sv måttstock (stick to measure length) · hu bot (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · ro nuia (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · sh pȁlica (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · la pertica (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · fr pine (slang: penis) · cs tyčinka (part of the retina of the eye — see also rod cell) · cs rybářský prut (fishing rod or pole) · mba songkod (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · es bastón (part of the retina of the eye — see also rod cell) · fr vit (slang: penis) · lv rīkste (stick or bundle used for punishment) · ja 鞭 (stick or bundle used for punishment) · sh mȍtka (stick to measure length) · it biella (connector, part of a machine) · es caña (fishing rod or pole) · uk ву́дочка (fishing rod or pole) · ce мӏара (fishing rod or pole) · vi cần (straight round stick, shaft, or bar) · de Zeltstab (a longitudinal pole forming part of a framework such as an awning or tent.) · be ву́дачка (fishing rod or pole) · el ραβδίο (part of the retina of the eye — see also rod cell) · pt verga (stick or bundle used for punishment) · pt verga (slang: penis) · de Zollstock (stick to measure length) · pl pręt (unit of length)