spoke¹ / spōk/ • n. each of the bars or wire rods connecting the center of a wheel to its outer edge. ∎  each of a set of radial handles projecting from a ship's wheel. ∎  each of the metal rods in an umbrella to which the material is attached.DERIVATIVES: spoked adj. [in comb.] a wire-spoked wheel.spoke² • past of speak.

spoke one of the staves of a wheel OE. spāca = OS. spēca (Du. speek), OHG. speihha (G. speiche) :- WGmc. *spaikan-, f. *spaik- *speik- SPIKE1.