n. [ OE. tode, tade, AS. tādie, tādige; of unknown origin. Cf. Tadpole. ] (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of batrachians belonging to the genus
☞ The common toad (Bufo vulgaris) and the natterjack are familiar European species. The common American toad (Bufo lentiginosus) is similar to the European toad, but is less warty and is more active, moving chiefly by leaping. [ 1913 Webster ]
Obstetrical toad. (Zool.)
Surinam toad. (Zool.)
Toad lizard (Zool.),
Toad pipe (Bot.),
Toad rush (Bot.),
Toad snatcher (Zool.),
Toad spittle. (Zool.)
Tree toad. (Zool.)
n. [ Said to be so called in allusion to an old alleged practice among mountebanks' boys of eating toads (popularly supposed to be poisonous), in order that their masters might have an opportunity of pretending to effect a cure. The French equivalent expression is un avaleur de couleuvres. Cf. Toady. ] A fawning, obsequious parasite; a mean sycophant; a flatterer; a toady. V. Knox. [ 1913 Webster ]
You had nearly imposed upon me, but you have lost your labor. You're too zealous a toadeater, and betray yourself. Dickens. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Zool.)
n. (Bot.) An herb (Linaria vulgaris) of the Figwort family, having narrow leaves and showy orange and yellow flowers; -- called also
n. (Zool.) The golden plover. [ Local, U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Like a toad. [ Obs. ] A. Stafford. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. A small toad. [ R. ] Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.
n. (Bot.) A name given to many umbrella-shaped fungi, mostly of the genus
v. t.