4. A contrivance for fastening the wheel of a vehicle, to prevent it
from turning in going down a hill.
To put a spoke in one's wheel, to thwart or obstruct one in the
execution of some design.
Spoke, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spoked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Spoking.] To
furnish with spokes, as a wheel.
Spo"ken (?), a. [p. p. of Speak.] 1. Uttered in speech; delivered by
word of mouth; oral; as, a spoken narrative; the spoken word.
2. Characterized by a certain manner or style in speaking; -- often in
composition; as, a pleasant-spoken man.
Methinks you 're better spoken.
Shak.
Spoke"shave` (?), n. A kind of drawing knife or planing tool for
dressing the spokes of wheels, the shells of blocks, and other curved
work.
Spokes"man (?), n.; pl. Spokesmen (#). [Speak, spoke + man.] One who
speaks for another.
He shall be thy spokesman unto the people.
Ex. iv. 16.
Spo"li*ate (?), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Spoliated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Spoliating (?).] [L. spoliatus, p. p. of spoliare spoil. See Spoil, v.
t.] To plunder; to pillage; to despoil; to rob.
Spo`li*a"tion (?), n. [L. spoliatio; cf. F. spoliation. See Spoil, v.
t.] 1. The act of plundering; robbery; deprivation; despoliation.
Legal spoliation, which will impoverish one part of the community
in order to corrupt the remainder.
Sir G. C. Lewis.
2. Robbery or plunder in war; especially, the authorized act or
practice of plundering neutrals at sea.
3. (Eccl. Law) (a) The act of an incumbent in taking the fruits of his
benefice without right, but under a pretended title. Blackstone.
(b) A process for possession of a church in a spiritual court.