from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Spoke \Spoke\, n. [OE. spoke, spake, AS. sp[=a]ca; akin to D.
speek, LG. speke, OHG. speihha, G. speiche. [root]170. Cf.
{Spike} a nail.]
1. The radius or ray of a wheel; one of the small bars which
are inserted in the hub, or nave, and which serve to
support the rim or felly.
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2. (Naut.) A projecting handle of a steering wheel.
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3. A rung, or round, of a ladder.
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4. A contrivance for fastening the wheel of a vehicle, to
prevent it from turning in going down a hill.
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{To put a spoke in one's wheel}, to thwart or obstruct one in
the execution of some design.
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