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poach¹ Definition

poach (pōc̸h)

transitive verb

to cook (fish, an egg without its shell, etc.) in water or other liquid near boiling point, or in a small receptacle placed over boiling water

Etymology: ME pochen < MFr pochier, to pocket < poche, pouch, pocket (< Frank *pokka, pocket: for IE base see poke): the yolk is “pocketed” in the white

poach² Definition

poach (pōc̸h)

transitive verb

  1. to soften, tear up, or make holes in (ground) by stamping; trample
  2. to mix with water until smooth
    1. to trespass on (private property), esp. for hunting or fishing
    2. to hunt or catch (game or fish) illegally, esp. by trespassing
  3. to take (anything) by unfair or illegal methods; steal

Etymology: Fr pocher < OFr pochier, to tread upon, intrude < MHG bochen, puchen, to strike upon, plunder, akin to poke

intransitive verb

  1. to sink into soft or wet earth when walking
  2. to become soggy or full of holes when trampled; turn into mud
  3. to hunt or fish illegally, esp. by trespassing on
  4. Racket Sports to return a shot near the net that was intended for one's partner in the back court

poach² Related Forms

poacher noun

poach Synonyms

poach

v.

  1. To steal

    filch, pilfer, smuggle; see steal.

  2. To blend

    mash, mingle, stir; see mix 1.

  3. To cook

    steam, boil, coddle, parboil; see cook.

poach Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • staff: There were rules to prevent the poaching of NHS staff by private companies.
  • wildlife: Listed as World Heritage in Danger in 1999 because of incursion by militias and poaching of wildlife.
  • ground: To help minimize poaching of the ground in the autumn, the field was not plowed, simply disked.

Object

  • pear: The poached pears, which can also be prepared in advance, are also easy to cook.
  • egg: He may think he is a poached egg for all I know.
  • haddock: We reserved a little of the poached haddock earlier.
  • salmon: For example why not replace the Sunday roast with poached salmon instead.
  • filet: For his main course, my guest chose the poached filet of hake, tarragon, mashed potato with a lobster velouté .
  • cod: The food is top notch, with exquisite treats like Bayonne ham and figs or poached cod with saffron and chili.

Preposition: for

  • ivory: Buffalo were the main target, while elephants were poached for ivory.
  • minute: Can also be poached for 10-15 minutes in boiling water.

Modifying Another Word

  • gently: Oh by the way, a gently poached ripe peach is much sharper than you expect.
  • lightly: Lightly poach in shallow pan with rum - add water to keep pan wet.
  • then: He had a hand in all three goals: setting up the opener for David O'Brien then poaching a second-half double himself.
  • not: But what if you're not poached by an employer offering a decent relocation bonus?
  • illegally: B ) Sack the manager and illegally poach the boss of your local rivals.
  • perfectly: I cannot think that I have ever eaten such a perfectly poached pea.

Preposition: in

  • wine: Salmon Filets poached in white wine served with Hollandaise Sauce and garnished with whole prawns.
  • stock: Cooks Notes: " This chicken is poached in a light, aromatic stock, which makes it very versatile, " says Kylie.
  • reserve: Some of the bikes are already in use by park rangers trying to reduce poaching in nature reserves.

Browse dictionary entries near poach

  1. Po Hai
  2. po-faced
  3. poète maudit
  4. Po Chu« -I
  5. po' boy
  6. po
  7. pnxt.
  8. PnP
  9. Pnom-Penh
  10. PNNI
  1. poachy
  2. POB
  3. Pobedonostsev, Constantin Petrovich
  4. poblano
  5. PoC
  6. Pocahontas
  7. Pocatello
  8. pochard
  9. pock
  10. pocket