Quod

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -É’d

Origin

First attested circa 1700. Origin unknown.

Alternative forms

• quad

Full definition of quod

Noun

1. (countable) A quadrangle or court, as of a prison; a prison.
• 1863, Punch (magazine), quoted in 1995, Seán McConville, English Local Prisons, 1860-1900: Next Only to Death, page 69,...not the poorer classes merely, but the rich will be desirous to enjoy the mingled luxury and comfort of a gaol: and we shall hear of blasé Swells become burglars and garotters as a prelude to a prison, and, instead of taking tours for restoration of their health, recruiting it more cheaply by a residence in quod.
• 1878, John Wrathall Bull, Early Experiences of Colonial Life in South Australia, page 264,...and declined their escort, desiring to be conducted to “quod” by the gallant South Australian police,....
• 2000, R.I.C. Publications, Workbook E: Society and Environment, page 48,From 1855-1903 a chapel was built, the boat shed and holding cell constructed, Government House was constructed as a summer residence for the Governor and the Quod (slang for prison) was constructed.
• 2006, Pip Wilson, Faces in the Street: Louisa and Henry Lawson and the Castlereagh Street Push, page 202,Pity McNamara′s still doing his stretch in the quod, but he′ll be out soon.
2. (uncountable, Australia, slang) Confinement in a prison.
• circa 1894 Acquaintance of Norman Lindsay, quoted in 2005, James Cockington, Banned: Tales From the Bizarre History of Australian Obscenity, , paperback ISBN 0-7333-1502-X, page 7,I don′t suppose you'll get more than a couple of months′ quod for them.

Verb

1. (obsolete) Quoth.
• 14thC, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Summoner′s Prologue and Tale, , 2009, Robert Boenig, Andrew Taylor (editors), The Canterbury Tales: A Selection, page 190,“No fors,” quod he, “but tel me al youre grief.”
• 1563, John Foxe, , 1868, The Church Historians of England: Reformation Period, Volume 8, Part 1, page 422,“Why,” quod her friend, “would ye not willingly have gone with your company, if God should so have suffered it?”
• 1908, James Gairdner, Lollardy and the Reformation in England: An Historical Survey, 2010, Cambridge University Press, page 416,“And therefore I have granted to their request,” quod the King;....----