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

Recent rains have left soil and new vegetation wet, diminishing the threat of wildfire stoked by wind.

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Watching onscreen characters trying to get ahead has stoked endless debate over the intersection of career ambition and moral code.

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TOKYO—Japan’s finance ministry plans to boost government bond issuance by $75 billion to fund an economic stimulus package, potentially stoking concerns about the nation’s fiscal health.

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Another reason to raise rates comes from the yen, which has weakened rapidly over the past weeks, stoking concerns over rising import prices.

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“The prospect of further cuts stoked demand for gold,” ANZ says.

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Related Words

• feed 
• stir