English Explanatory Dictionary

poach

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To cook (something) in simmering or very hot liquid (usually water; sometimes wine, broth, or otherwise).
  2. To be cooked in such manner.
noun
  1. The act of cooking in simmering liquid.
verb
  1. To trespass on another's property to take fish or game.
  2. To take game or fish illegally.
  3. To take anything illegally or unfairly.
  4. To intrude; to interfere; to get involved inappropriately, without welcome.
  5. To entice (an employee or customer) to switch from a competing company to one's own.
  6. To make soft or muddy by trampling.
  7. To become soft or muddy by being trampled on.
  8. To stab; to pierce; to spear or drive or plunge into something.
noun
  1. The act of taking something unfairly, as in tennis doubles where one player returns a shot that their partner was better placed to return.

Pronunciation

/ˈpoʊt͡ʃ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-poach.wav

Word forms

poach poaches poaching poached

Etymology

From Middle English pochen (“to poach (eggs)”), from Old French pocher "to put (egg yolks) in pockets" (i.e. in bags formed by the whites), from Old French poche (“pocket”).

Synonyms

jab run through chef chib ching chive enthrill foin gore gride job juke kebab knifecrime lancinate pigstick pink poach shank shiv spear speet splash stab stick stob stog thrust yerk empierce fix impale pierce prick puncture stake transfix transpierce

Derived words

poached egg poach up poachable poacher poachy pochard unpoached
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