| Library / English Dictionary |
SPOKE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
One of the crosspieces that form the steps of a ladder
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("spoke" is a kind of...):
crosspiece (a transverse brace)
Holonyms ("spoke" is a part of...):
ladder (steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
Synonyms:
radius; spoke; wheel spoke
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("spoke" is a kind of...):
support (any device that bears the weight of another thing)
Holonyms ("spoke" is a part of...):
bicycle wheel (the wheel of a bicycle)
cartwheel (a wheel that has wooden spokes and a metal rim)
wagon wheel (a wheel of a wagon)
II. (verb)
Sense 1
Past simple of the verb speak
Context examples:
Catherine spoke the pleasure she really felt on hearing this part of the arrangement.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
But Gladys—was it not the very opportunity of which she spoke?
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
In her simple words, too, the same balm-like emotion spoke: "Try to eat."
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
Shot through the heart, sir, and never spoke again.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Then with an effort he mastered himself and spoke on: The vicar knew. He was in our confidence.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
He held up his two hands as he spoke, and showed that the thumbs and two first fingers had been torn away from each of them.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
“Yes,” said the lawyer, “I once spoke with him.”
(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
“But I wonder that you should come and see me now, Rodney,” said he, when we parted, trying to laugh as he spoke.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
His courage had come back as he spoke, and some of the colour to his face along with it.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
From the instant he spoke to her, she was his.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
