cudgel
noun [ C ] uk/ˈkʌdʒ.əl/ us/ˈkʌdʒ.əl/
（打人用的）粗短棒，短棍
a short, heavy stick used for hitting people
Idioms
cudgel your brainsidiom UK old-fashioned 绞尽脑汁，冥思苦想
to think very hard or try to remember something you have forgotten
take up the cudgels for/against someone/somethingidiom UK old-fashioned 坚决拥护／反对
to argue strongly in support of, or against, someone or something
Relatives have taken up the cudgels for two British women accused of murder. 亲属们极力为两名被控谋杀的英国女子辩护。
cudgel
verb [ T ] uk/ˈkʌdʒ.əl/ us/ˈkʌdʒ.əl/ -ll- or -l-
棒打，用棍棒打
to hit someone with a cudgel