Stoke Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ”ฅ
Add to dictionary

stoke

[stoสŠk ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

fire management

To stoke means to stir up or add fuel to a fire, which can increase its intensity. It can also refer to encouraging or promoting a feeling or situation, such as enthusiasm or anger.

Synonyms

encourage, fuel, intensify.

Examples of usage

  • The firefighter stoked the embers to create a brighter blaze.
  • She stoked the crowd's excitement before the concert.
  • He stoked her anger with his careless remarks.
Context #2 | Noun

fire management

Stoke can refer to the act of stoking a fire or to a heap of fuel. It is less commonly used in this form compared to its verb counterpart.

Synonyms

fuel, kindling.

Examples of usage

  • The stoke of the fire was carefully managed.
  • Adding more wood to the stoke helped sustain the flames.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In literature, 'stoke' is often used to describe inflating the passion of characters, bringing their emotions to a significant peak.
  • Authors frequently employ the verb in narratives to illustrate the dynamic energy of confrontations or dramatic events.
  • A well-known metaphorical use is in poetry, where 'stoking' the flames of love represents deepening feelings.

Psychology

  • In motivational contexts, 'stoking' enthusiasm can be crucial for team performance and engagement.
  • Psychologists have found that positive reinforcement can 'stoke' individual motivation in various settings.
  • The act of stoking excitement is similar to creating a supportive environment that fuels productivity and creativity.

Pop Culture

  • The phrase 'stoking the hype' is commonly used in marketing to generate excitement around upcoming movies or events.
  • In music festivals, DJs are known to 'stoke the crowd' by engaging with the audience to enhance their experience.
  • Popular internet culture often uses 'stoke' in memes, amplifying trends or jokes for greater impact.

Science

  • In thermodynamics, 'stoking' a fire relates to the principles of combustion and how heat energy is generated.
  • The process of 'stoking' can affect the efficiency of burning and the resultant emissions, making it relevant in discussions of environmental science.
  • Understanding how to effectively 'stoke' a fire is key in areas like fire safety and applicable in controlled burns for land management.

Origin of 'stoke'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'stoke' comes from Middle English 'stoken,' which means to poke or stir up a fire.
  • It has connections to Old English 'stocian,' indicating the action of adding fuel to a fire.
  • The term evolved in the 19th century to encompass not just fuel for fires but also the metaphorical sense of increasing excitement.

The word 'stoke' comes from the Old English word 'stocian,' meaning to stir or poke. Its origins trace back to the Proto-Germanic '*stukan', which indicates a motion of prodding or shaking. Historically, stoking was an essential practice among coal and woodburners, where tending to the fire was crucial for generating heat. Over time, the word began to expand beyond its literal meaning of managing a fire, coming to symbolize the act of inflating feelings or situations โ€“ essentially 'fanning the flames' both literally and metaphorically. By the 19th century, 'stoke' was frequently used in contexts involving encouragement and arousal of emotions, contributing to its rich duality in usage today.


Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,362 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.