poke
1poke
noun \ˈpōk\Definition of POKE
Origin of POKE
Middle English, from Anglo-French — more at pocket
First Known Use: 13th century
2poke
verbpokedpok·ing
Definition of POKE
transitive verb
1
a (1) : prod, jab <poked him in the ribs> (2) : to urge or stir by prodding or jabbing <poked and scolded by the old folks — Upton Sinclair> (3) : to cause to prod : thrust <poked a stick at the snake> b (1) : pierce, stab (2) : to produce by or as if by piercing, stabbing, or jabbing <poke a hole> <poked holes in his heavily footnoted argument — David Stoll> c (1) : hit, punch <poked him in the nose> (2) : to deliver (a blow) with the fist (3) : to hit (a blooper) in baseball
2
a : to cause to project <poked her head out of the window> b : to make (one's way) by poking <poked his way through the ruins> c : to interpose or interject in a meddlesome manner <asked him not to poke his nose into other people's business>
intransitive verb
1
a : to make a prodding, jabbing, or thrusting movement especially repeatedly b : to strike out at something
2
3
: to move or act slowly or aimlessly <just poked around and didn't accomplish much>
Examples of POKE
- I accidentally poked my finger right through the old fabric.
- Throwing pencils is not allowed because someone's eye could get poked out.
Origin of POKE
Middle English; akin to Middle Dutch poken to poke
First Known Use: 14th century
3poke
nounDefinition of POKE
2
: a projecting brim on the front of a woman's bonnet
3
: a cutting remark : dig
First Known Use of POKE
circa 1796
4poke
nounDefinition of POKE
: pokeweed
Origin of POKE
perhaps modification of Virginia Algonquian pocone, poughkone puccoon
First Known Use: 1708
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