The Collaborative International Dictionary
Spade \Spade\, n. [AS. sp[ae]d; spada; akin to D. spade, G. spaten, Icel. spa[eth]i, Dan. & Sw. spade, L. spatha a spatula, a broad two-edged sword, a spathe, Gr. spa`qh. Cf. Epaulet, Spade at cards, Spathe, Spatula.]
An implement for digging or cutting the ground, consisting usually of an oblong and nearly rectangular blade of iron, with a handle like that of a shovel. ``With spade and pickax armed.''
--Milton.-
[Sp. espada, literally, a sword; -- so caused because these cards among the Spanish bear the figure of a sword. Sp. espada is fr. L. spatha, Gr. spa`qh. See the Etymology above.] One of that suit of cards each of which bears one or more figures resembling a spade.
``Let spades be trumps!'' she said.
--Pope. -
A cutting instrument used in flensing a whale.
Spade bayonet, a bayonet with a broad blade which may be used digging; -- called also trowel bayonet.
Spade handle (Mach.), the forked end of a connecting rod in which a pin is held at both ends. See Illust. of Knuckle joint, under Knuckle.