Search the Dictionary

The act of designating, as a position or direction, by means of something pointed, as a finger or a rod.

To thrust or push against or into with anything pointed; hence, to stir up; to excite; as, to poke a fire. He poked John, and said "Sleepest thou " Chaucer.

- Horned pondweed, the Zannichellia palustris, a slender, branching aquatic plant, having pointed nutlets.

A species of shark (Lamna cornubica), about eight feet long, having a pointed nose and a crescent-shaped tail; -- called also mackerel shark. [Written also probeagle.]

isted awn, which, by coiling and uncoiling through changes in moisture, propels the sharp-pointed and barbellate grain into the wool and flesh of sheep. It is found from Illinois westward. See Illustration in Appendix. -- Porcupine wood (Bot.), the hard outer wood of the cocoa palm; -- so called because, when cut hori…

A grating of iron or of timbers pointed with iron, hung over the gateway of a fortress, to be let down to prevent the entrance of an enemy. "Let the portcullis fall." Sir W. Scott. She . . . the huge portcullis high updrew. Milton.

where letters, papers, and other mailable matter, are received and distributed; a place appointed for attending to all business connected with the mail. (b) The governmental system for forwarding mail matter. -- Postoffice order. See Money order, under Money. -- Post road, or Post route, a road or way over which the…

A long pointed shoe. See Cracowes.

he Old World genus Glareola, or family Glareolidæ, allied to the plovers. They have long, pointed wings and a forked tail.

. Epis. Ch.), a portion of the communion service, preceding the prayer of consecration, appointed for certain seasons.

A scholar appointed to inspect other scholars; a monitor. Todd.

One who is elected or appointed to preside; a presiding officer, as of a legislative body. Specifically:

That which pricks, penetrates, or punctures; a sharp and slender thing; a pointed instrument; a goad; a spur, etc.; a point; a skewer. Pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary. Shak. It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Acts ix. 5.

Having erect, pointed ears; -- said of certain dogs. Thou prick-eared cur of Iceland. Shak.

One who, or that which, pricks; a pointed instrument; a sharp point; a prickle.

A pointed steel punch, to prick a mark on metal.

am engine for discharging water carried into the cylinder by priming. -- Priming wire, a pointed wire used to penetrate the vent of a piece, for piercing the cartridge before priming.

A sharp-pointed instrument; also, an eelspear. [Prov. Eng.]

inus, of for exploring for bullets, for stones in the bladder, etc. Parr. Probe, or Probe-pointed, scissors (Surg.), scissors used to open wounds, the blade of which, to be thrust into the orifice, has a button at the end. Wiseman.

An officer appointed to procession lands. [Local, U. S. (North Carolina and Tennessee).] Burrill.