Scud — Defs

01 v. i. To move swiftly; especially, to move as if driven forward by something.

imp. & p. p. Scudded; p. pr. & vb. n. Scudding

1.
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.” — I. Taylor.

“The wind was high; the vast white clouds scudded over the blue heaven.” — Beaconsfield.
2.
To be driven swiftly, or to run, before a gale, with little or no sail spread.(Naut.)

02 v. t. To pass over quickly.

03 n. The act of scudding; a driving along; a rushing with precipitation.

1.
The act of scudding; a driving along; a rushing with precipitation.
2.
Loose, vapory clouds driven swiftly by the wind.
“Borne on the scud of the sea.” — Longfellow.

“The scud was flying fast above us, throwing a veil over the moon.” — Sir S. Baker.
3.
A slight, sudden shower.[Prov. Eng.]
4.
A small flight of larks, or other birds, less than a flock.(Zool.) [Prov. Eng.]
5.
Any swimming amphipod crustacean.(Zool.)

Phrases & compounds

Storm scud — See the Note under Cloud.