stoke

¹

[ stohk ]

verb (used with object)

, stoked, stok·ing.

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, stok·ing.

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

Burghart raised a laugh on the Tory benches with a jibe about "real economists", as he accused the government of "stoking" inflation.

From BBC

The Conservatives have accused the government of "stoking inflation", after price rises hit their highest rate for six months.

From BBC

That rise has stoked investor hopes that the Trump administration will continue to lift their industry — and reportedly spurred some curious deal making by the president-elect’s own social media company.

From New York Times

Fortunately, South Africa are the perfect opponent to stoke England's front-foot defence.

From BBC

Expect plenty of hot takes, including a barrage of think pieces, seeing as, in this telling, the Wizard is an authoritarian leader using scapegoating to prey on — and stoke — people’s fears.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• feed
• stir