poke

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun tall coarse perennial American herb having small white flowers followed by blackish-red berries on long drooping racemes; young fleshy stems are edible; berries and root are poisonous
  2. noun someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind
  3. noun a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases

Etymology

From Middle English poken, perhaps from Middle Dutch poken or Middle Low German poken, both from Proto-West Germanic *pukōn or similar, which is itself of uncertain origin, but may be from an imitative Proto-Germanic root *puk-. Doublet of poach.

In classic literature

Synonyms

pigeon berry, garget, scoke, Phytolacca americana

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