nudge

[pioneer]

nudge 1   

nudge [nuj]
verb (past and past participle nudged, present participle nudg·ing, 3rd person present singular nudg·es)
1.  transitive verb push or poke somebody: to push or poke somebody gently, usually with a motion of the elbow
2.  transitive verb move something: to move something gently, especially by pushing it slowly and carefully
3.  transitive verb approach level: to have very nearly reached a particular level or standard
Their profits are nudging the 100 million mark.

4.  transitive verb gently persuade somebody: to persuade somebody into an action, gently and delicately
5.  intransitive verb move slowly: to move slowly or little by little

noun (plural nudg·es)
1.  gentle push: a gentle push to get somebody's attention
2.  persuasive act: a gentle act of persuasion

[Late 17th century. Origin ?]
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