poke

Noun

• (boxing) a blow with the fist
  • I gave him a clout on his nose
    

• a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
  • he warned me with a jab with his finger
    
  • he made a thrusting motion with his fist
    

• a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases

• someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind

• 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

Verb

• make a hole by poking

• hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
  • the salesman pounded the door knocker
    
  • a bible-thumping Southern Baptist
    

• stir by poking
  • poke the embers in the fireplace
    

• search or inquire in a meddlesome way
  • This guy is always nosing around the office
    

• poke or thrust abruptly
  • he jabbed his finger into her ribs
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  punch , clout , lick , biff , slug , jab , jabbing , poking , thrust , thrusting , sack , paper bag , carrier bag , dawdler , drone , laggard , lagger , trailer , pigeon berry , garget , scoke , Phytolacca americana , thump , pound , intrude , horn in , pry , nose , prod , stab , dig