stoke

¹

[stohk]

verb (used with object)

stoked, stoking 

1. to poke, stir up, and feed (a fire).

2. to tend the fire of (a furnace, especially one used with a boiler to generate steam for an engine); supply with fuel.

verb (used without object)

stoked, stoking 

1. to shake up the coals of a fire.

2. to tend a fire or furnace.

stoke

²

[stohk]

noun

Physics.

1. a unit of kinematic viscosity, equal to the viscosity of a fluid in poises divided by the density of the fluid in grams per cubic centimeter.

stoke

/ stəʊk /

verb

1. to feed, stir, and tend (a fire, furnace, etc)

2. (tr) to tend the furnace of; act as a stoker for

Word History and Origins

Origin of stoke¹

1675–85; < Dutch stoken to feed or stock a fire; stock

Origin of stoke²

After Sir G. Stokes

Word History and Origins

Origin of stoke¹

C17: back formation from _stoker

Example Sentences

The joint address to military leaders in Virginia on Tuesday further stoked those fears.

From Los Angeles Times

While the mockery and memes may feel good as snickering payback and certainly stoke the Democratic base — boosting Newsom’s presidential hopes — Mahan suggested they are ultimately counterproductive.

From Los Angeles Times

American opponents Justin Thomas and Cameron Young sensibly appealed for calm, but also stoked emotions with wild celebrations when they won holes seven and nine to leave a tense match all square again.

From BBC

The images further stoked marriage rumors first publicized last week in an “exclusive” report from RadarOnline.

From Los Angeles Times

Earlier this week, Sandu accused Moscow of "pouring hundreds of millions of euros" into Moldova in a bid to stoke violence and spread disinformation and fear.

From BBC

Related Words

• feed 
• stir