spade
spade /speɪd/
noun [countable]
Origin: spadu
Language: Italian
Origin: spada or Spanish espada 'broad sword' (used as a mark on cards), from Latin spatha; ⇨ spatula
1. a tool for digging that has a long handle and a broad metal blade that you push into the ground ⇨ shovel
2. (also spades [plural]) a playing card belonging to the set of cards that have one or more black shapes that look like pointed leaves printed on them:
the queen of spades
3. call a spade a spade to speak about things in a direct and honest way, even though it may be impolite to do this
4. in spades to a great degree, or in large amounts:
Beauty, intelligence, wealth – my mother had all of them in spades.
5. [countable] taboo old-fashioned a very offensive word for a black person. Do not use this word.
spade /speɪd/
noun [countable] Sense 1,3
Language: Old EnglishOrigin: spadu
Sense 2, 4-5
Date: 1500-1600Language: Italian
Origin: spada or Spanish espada 'broad sword' (used as a mark on cards), from Latin spatha; ⇨ spatula
1. a tool for digging that has a long handle and a broad metal blade that you push into the ground ⇨ shovel
2. (also spades [plural]) a playing card belonging to the set of cards that have one or more black shapes that look like pointed leaves printed on them:
3. call a spade a spade to speak about things in a direct and honest way, even though it may be impolite to do this
4. in spades to a great degree, or in large amounts:
5. [countable] taboo old-fashioned a very offensive word for a black person. Do not use this word.