ご指名質問：stoking fears

UG先生からのご指名質問にお答え致します。
内容は以下のstokingについてです。
Tokyo share prices fell sharply on Monday
Tokyo share prices fell sharply on Monday due to a stronger yen triggered by a rescue package for Cyprus. Sell orders were placed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange for many export-related issues.

The benchmark Nikkei index closed the day's session at 12,220, down 340 points from Friday's close.

The Topix index of all First Section issues ended at 1,028 down 23 points.


Market sources say that on Saturday eurozone countries agreed on a rescue package for Cyprus, which is stoking fears that it will negatively affect the European economy. The deal calls on Cypriot depositors to accept a tax on bank deposits as a necessary condition for providing bailout funds to the country.

The sources say investors are concerned that if the tax measures are expanded to include other countries, they may rekindle the European credit crisis.
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20130318_29.html

ｓtokeには他動詞用法で、「＜興奮など＞をかき立てる、あおる（＋up）」（『ジーニアス英和辞典　第３版』大修館）という意味があります。LODCEでもチェックしてみると、‘to cause something to increase’と定義されており、‘stoke fear/anger/envy etc’のように、感情を表す単語と共に使われることが多いようです。念のため、ODOでも調べてみると、‘ encourage or incite (a strong emotion or tendency)’ とありました。

以上の事柄を踏まえると、stocking fearは、「不安をかきたてる」という意味になるでしょうか。キプロスに対する経済救済により、ユーロ圏への波紋が大きく広がらないことを願うばかりです。(Shou-VR*)