v.
(past and past part. struck
/strʌk/
)
- deliver a blow to.
▸accidentally hit (a part of one's body) against something.
▸come into forcible contact with.
▸(in sporting contexts) hit or kick (a ball).
▸ignite (a match) by rubbing it briskly against an abrasive surface.
▸bring (an electric arc) into being.
- (of a disaster, disease, etc.) occur suddenly and have harmful effects on.
▸attack suddenly.
▸
(strike something into)
cause a strong emotion in.
▸cause to become suddenly:
he was struck dumb.
- suddenly come into the mind of.
▸cause to have a particular impression.
▸
(be struck by/with)
find particularly interesting or impressive.
▸
(be struck on)
informal be deeply fond of.
- (of employees) refuse to work as a form of organized protest.
▸N. Amer. undertake such action against (an employer).
- cancel or remove by or as if by crossing out with a pen.
▸
(strike someone off)
officially remove someone from membership of a professional group.
- move or proceed vigorously or purposefully.
▸
(strike out)
start out on a new or independent course.
- reach (an agreement, balance, or compromise).
▸(in financial contexts) reach (a figure) by balancing an account.
- (of a clock) indicate the time by sounding a chime or stroke.
- make (a coin or medal) by stamping metal.
- discover (gold, minerals, or oil) by drilling or mining.
▸
(strike on/upon)
discover or think of, especially unexpectedly.
- take down or dismantle (a tent, camp, or theatrical scenery).
▸lower or take down (a flag or sail).
- insert (a cutting of a plant) in soil to take root.
▸develop roots.
▸(of a young oyster) attach itself to a bed.
- Fishing secure a hook in the mouth of a fish by jerking or tightening the line after it has taken the bait or fly.
n.
- an act of striking by employees.
▸a refusal to do something as an organized protest:
a rent strike.
- a sudden attack, typically a military one.
- (in sporting contexts) an act of striking a ball.
▸(in tenpin bowling) an act of knocking down all the pins with one's first ball.
▸Baseball a batter's unsuccessful attempt to hit a pitched ball.
▸Baseball a pitch that passes through the strike zone.
- N. Amer. something to one's discredit.
- an act of striking gold, minerals, or oil.
- the horizontal or compass direction of a stratum, fault, or other geological feature.
Phrase
- strike an attitude
(or pose)
hold one's body in a particular position to create an impression. - strike a blow for
(or at or against)
do something to help (or hinder) a cause, belief, or principle. - strike a light
Brit. informal, dated used to express surprise, dismay, or alarm. - strike while the iron is hot
make immediate use of an opportunity.
Phrase verbal
- strike back
- retaliate.
- (of a gas burner) burn from an internal point before the gas has become mixed with air.
- strike someone out
(or strike out)
- Baseball dismiss someone (or be dismissed) by means of three strikes.
-
(strike out)
N. Amer. informal be unsuccessful.
- strike up
(or strike something up)
- begin to play a piece of music.
-
(strike something up)
begin a friendship or conversation with someone.
Etymology
OE strīcan ‘go, flow’ and ‘rub lightly’, of W. Gmc origin; rel. to stroke.