transitive verb struck, struck, stricken, striking
- to hit with the hand or a tool, weapon, etc.; smite; specif.,
- to give a blow to; hit with force: to strike a nail with a hammer
- to give (a blow, etc.)
- to remove, knock off, etc. by or as by a blow: to strike a gun from someone's hand
- to make or impress by stamping, punching, printing, etc.: to strike coins in a mint
- to pierce or penetrate: struck in the head by a bullet
- to harpoon or shoot (a whale)
- to hook (a fish that has risen to the bait) by a pull on the line
- to seize (the bait): said of a fish
- to produce (a tone or chord) by hitting a key or keys or touching a string or strings on a musical instrument
- to touch the strings of (a musical instrument)
- to announce (time), as by causing a hammer to hit a bell: said of clocks, etc.
- to cause to come into violent or forceful contact; specif.,
- to cause to hit something: to strike one's head on a beam
- to thrust (a weapon, implement, etc.) in or into something
- to bring forcefully into contact: to strike cymbals together
- to cause to ignite by friction: to strike a match
- to produce (a light, etc.) by friction
- to make (an arc) in an arc lamp
- to come into violent or forceful contact with; crash into; hit: the stone struck a head
- to wound with the fangs: said of snakes
- to attack
- to afflict, as with disease, pain, or death
- to come into contact with; specif.,
- to fall on; shine on: light striking the wall
- to catch or reach (the ear): said of a sound
- ☆ to come upon; arrive at: the bus struck the main road
- to make (a path, trail, etc.) as one goes along
- to notice, find, or hit upon suddenly or unexpectedly
- ☆ to discover, as after drilling or prospecting: to strike oil
- to appear to: the sight that struck my eyes
- to affect as if by contact, a blow, etc.; specif.,
- to come into the mind of; occur to: an idea struck me
- to be attractive to or impress (someone's fancy, sense of humor, etc.)
- to seem to: an idea that strikes me as silly
- to cause to become suddenly: to be struck dumb
- to influence, inspire, or overcome suddenly with strong feeling: to be struck with amazement
- to cause (a feeling, emotion, etc.) to come suddenly; arouse: to strike terror to the heart
- to remove or expunge (from a list, minutes, record, etc.)
- to make and ratify (a bargain, agreement, truce, etc.)
- to arrive at by figuring, estimating, etc.: to strike a balance
- to lower or haul down (a sail, flag, etc.), as in surrendering: sailors formerly struck sails in protest of grievances, to prevent a ship from sailing
- to take down (a tent, etc.)
- to abandon (a camp) as by taking down tents
- to refuse to continue to work at (a factory, company, etc.) until certain demands have been met
- Obsolete to stroke or smooth
- to level (a measure of grain, sand mold, etc.) by stroking the top with a straight instrument; strickle
- to assume (an attitude, pose, etc.)
- to send down or put forth (roots): said of plants, etc.
- to cause (cuttings, etc.) to take root
- Obsolete to wage (battle)
- Theater
- to dismantle and remove (scenery or a set)
- to remove the scenery of (a play)
- to turn (a light) down or off