a short thick stick used as a weapon
(用作武器的)粗短棍棒。
beat with a cudgel
用棍棒打。
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cudgel one's brain (或brains ) think hard about a problem 绞尽脑汁,苦苦思索 -
take up the cudgels start to defend or support someone or something strongly 坚决保卫(或支持)there was no one else to take up the cudgels on their behalf . 没有其他人起来支持他们
"Old English