quid

/kwɪd/

/kwɪd/

Other forms: quids

A quid is a hunk or wad of something you chew. I don't recommend shoving a quid of gum in your mouth right before you give your speech.

Quid, defined in the 1720s as "a portion suitable to be chewed or held in the mouth," shares a source with cud, as in what a cow chews. The Old English root of both is cudu, "gum or resin." Quid is also British slang for one pound sterling, which may derive from the Latin word meaning "that which is." Order fish and chips in a London pub and you may hear, "That'll be six quid, mate."

Definitions of quid

1. noun

   a wad of something chewable as tobacco
   synonyms: chaw, chew, cud, plug, wad

   type of:

   bit, bite, morsel

   a small amount of solid food; a mouthful
2. noun

   the basic unit of money in Great Britain and Northern Ireland; equal to 100 pence
   synonyms: British pound, British pound sterling, pound, pound sterling

   type of:

   British monetary unit

   monetary unit in Great Britain
3. noun

   something for something; that which a party receives (or is promised) in return for something he does or gives or promises
   synonyms: quid pro quo

   type of:

   consideration, retainer

   a fee charged in advance to retain the services of someone