I. ˈpōk noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French — more at pocket
Date: 13th century
1. chiefly Southern & Midland : bag , sack
2.
a. : wallet
b. : purse
II. verb
( 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
III. noun
Date: circa 1796
1.
a. : a quick thrust : jab
b. : a blow with the fist : punch
2. : a projecting brim on the front of a woman's bonnet
3. : a cutting remark : dig
IV. noun
Etymology: perhaps modification of Virginia Algonquian pocone, poughkone puccoon
Date: 1708
: pokeweed