n.
- an act of hitting:
he received three strokes of the cane.
▸Golf an act of hitting the ball with a club, as a unit of scoring.
▸a sound made by a striking clock.
- a mark made by drawing a pen, pencil, or paintbrush once across paper or canvas.
▸a line forming part of a written or printed character.
▸a short diagonal line separating characters or figures.
- an act of stroking.
- one of a series of repeated movements.
▸the whole motion of a piston in either direction.
▸a style of moving the arms and legs in swimming.
▸the mode or action of moving the oar in rowing.
▸
(also stroke oar)
the oarsman nearest the stern, setting the timing for the other rowers.
- a sudden disabling attack or loss of consciousness caused by an interruption in the flow of blood to the brain.
v.
- move one's hand with gentle pressure over (a surface).
- N. Amer. informal manipulate by means of flattery or persuasion.
- act as the stroke of (a boat or crew).
Phrase
- at a
(or one)
stroke
by a single action having immediate effect. - not
(or never)
do a stroke of work
do no work at all. - on the stroke of ——
precisely at the specified time. - put someone off their stroke
disconcert someone so that they make a mistake or hesitate. - stroke of genius
an outstandingly original idea. - stroke of luck
(or good luck)
a fortunate unexpected occurrence.
Derivative
- strokeable adj.
- stroker n.
Etymology
OE strācian ‘caress lightly’, of Gmc origin; rel. to strike.