Definition of spade

The word "spade" comes from the Middle English "spad," which in turn originated from the Old French "espede" meaning "shovel" or "spade." The Old French word was derived from the Latin "spatha," which referred to a sword or a broad, flat blade. The relation between the sword and the shovel lies in the shape of the blade. Spades, like swords, have a broad, flat blade, which was efficient in both slicing through soil and cutting through opponents in medieval battles. The evolution of the spade as a gardening tool can be traced back to the Roman era. The Romans used a spade-like tool called the "dibrogh," which had a pointed blade attached to a wooden shaft. The dibrogh was used to dig trenches for piping and to plant and harvest crops. The modern spade is a refined version of the Roman dibrogh. It has a curved blade, which allows for increased leverage and deeper digging capabilities. The blade is also designed to prevent soil from sticking to it, making it more efficient for gardening tasks. In summary, the word "spade" comes from the French word for "shovel," which in turn was derived from the Latin word for "sword." The blade of the spade, which resembles the shape of a sword, was also useful in slicing through soil and medieval opponents alike. The spade as a gardening tool has a rich history dating back to the Roman era.