Spoke Meaning and Definition
Spoke
Pronunciation
/spōk/
Part of Speech
Noun or Verb
Definition
A spoke is a rod or beam that connects a hub to the rim of a wheel, or a radius of a circle or sphere, such as a metal rod that connects a hub to a wheel rim in a bicycle or car.
Examples
- The mechanic replaced the worn-out spoke on the car’s wheel.
- The bicycle wheel’s spoke was bent and needed to be adjusted.
Synonyms
- Rod
- Beam
Etymology
The word “spoke” originated from Old English and Middle English, derived from the Proto-Germanic word “spakin”, meaning “splinter” or “piece of wood”.
Usage Notes
The word “spoke” can be used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to the rod or beam connecting the hub to the wheel rim. As a verb, it means to communicate something through speech or writing.
Cultural References
The term “spoke” has appeared in various forms of media, such as in the phrase “spoke truth to power”, meaning to boldly express one’s opinion or concerns, often in the face of opposition.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Phrase: “spoke as one”, meaning to speak in unison or agreement.
Related Words or Phrases
- Rim
- Hub
- wheel
Collocations
- Spoke radius
- Spoke wheel
Frequency of Use
The word “spoke” is relatively common in everyday language, particularly in the context of mechanics, engineering, and transportation.
Common Misspellings
- Speek
- Spock