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poke1 definition

poke (pōk)

transitive verb poked, poking pok′·ing

    1. to push or jab with a stick, finger, etc.; prod
    2. Slang to hit with the fist
  1. to make by poking to poke a hole in a bag
  2. to stir up (a fire) by jabbing the coals with a poker
  3. to thrust (something) forward; intrude to poke one's head out a window

Etymology: ME poken < MDu or LowG

intransitive verb

  1. to make jabs with a stick, poker, etc. (at something)
  2. to intrude; meddle
  3. to pry or search: sometimes with about or around
  4. to stick out; protrude
  5. to live or move slowly or lazily; loiter; putter; dawdle: often with along

noun

    1. the act of poking; jab; thrust; nudge
    2. Slang a blow with the fist
  1. slowpoke
  2. a poke bonnet, or its projecting front brim
poke Idioms

poke fun at

to ridicule or deride, esp. satirically or slyly
poke2 definition

poke (pōk)

noun

  1. Dialectal a sack or bag
  2. Archaic a pocket
  3. Slang
    1. a wallet or purse
    2. money, esp. all that one has

Etymology: OFr poke, poque < Frank *pokka < IE base *beu-, to blow up, swell > puck

poke3 definition

poke (pōk)

noun

Etymology: earlier pocan < AmInd (Virginian) puccoon, weed used for staining

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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