strəuk n. & v. --n. 1
the act or an
instance of
striking; a blow or
hit (with a
single stroke; a stroke of lightning). 2 a
sudden disabling
attack or
loss of
consciousness caused by an interruption in the
flow of
blood to the
brain,
esp.
through thrombosis;
apoplexy. 3 a an
action or
movement esp. as
one of a
series. b the
time or
way in
which such movements are
done. c the slightest such action (has
not done a stroke of work). 4 the
whole of the
motion (of a
wing,
oar, etc.)
until the starting-position is regained. 5 (in rowing) the
mode or action of
moving the oar (row a fast stroke). 6 the whole motion (of a piston) in
either direction. 7
Golf the action of hitting (or hitting at) a ball
with a
club, as a
unit of scoring. 8 a mode of moving the arms
and legs in swimming. 9 a
method of striking with the bat etc. in games etc. (played
some unorthodox strokes). 10 a specially
successful or
skilful effort (a stroke of diplomacy). 11 a a mark
made by the movement in one direction of a
pen or
pencil or
paintbrush. b a
similar mark printed. 12 a
detail contributing to the
general effect in a
description. 13 the
sound made by a striking clock. 14 (in full stroke oar) the oar or
oarsman nearest the stern,
setting the time of the stroke. 15 the act or a spell of stroking. --v.tr. 1 pass one's
hand gently
along the
surface of (hair or
fur etc.);
caress lightly. 2 act as the stroke of (a
boat or crew). øat a stroke by a single action. finishing stroke a
coup de grçce; a
final and
fatal stroke.
off one's stroke not performing as well as
usual. on the stroke punctually. on the stroke of
nine etc. with the clock
about to
strike nine etc. stroke a
person down
appease a person's
anger. stroke of
business a
profitable transaction. stroke of
genius an
original or strikingly successful
idea. stroke of
luck (or
good luck) an
unforeseen opportune occurrence. stroke
play Golf play in which the
score is reckoned by counting the
number of strokes taken
for the
round (cf. match play (see MATCH(1))). stroke a person (or a person's hair) the
wrong way
irritate a person. [OE stracian f. Gmc, rel. to STRIKE]