n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: poked ; pok · ing
Etymology: Middle English; akin to Middle Dutch poken to poke
Date: 14th century
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 a : to look about or through something without system : RUMMAGE < poking around in the attic> b : MEDDLE
3 : to move or act slowly or aimlessly <just poked around and didn't accomplish much>
4 : to become stuck out or forward : PROTRUDE
– poke fun at : RIDICULE , MOCK