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stroke Definition

stroke (strōk)

noun

  1. a striking of one thing against another; blow or impact of an ax, whip, etc.
    1. a sudden action resulting in a powerful or destructive effect, as if from a blow a stroke of lightning
    2. a sudden occurrence, often a pleasant one a stroke of luck
  2. a sudden cerebrovascular failure usually caused by arteriosclerosis, hypertension, embolism, or hemorrhage and resulting variously in impaired vision and speech, coma, convulsions, paralysis, etc.
    1. a single effort to do, produce, or accomplish something, esp. a successful effort
    2. something accomplished by such an effort; feat
    3. a distinctive effect or touch in an artistic, esp. literary, work
  3. the sound of striking, as of a clock
    1. a single movement, as with some tool, club, racquet, etc. a stroke of the pen, a backhand stroke in tennis
    2. any of a series of repeated rhythmic motions made against water, air, etc. the stroke of a swimmer, rower, etc.
    3. a type, manner, or rate of such movement a slow stroke
  4. a mark made by or as by a pen or similar marking tool
  5. a beat of the heart
  6. a gentle, caressing motion with the hand
  7. Informal praise, flattery, etc. offered to reassure, influence, persuade, etc.
  8. Golf a scoring unit used to record each time the ball is hit with the head of a club
  9. Mech. any of a series of continuous, often reciprocating, movements; specif., a single movement of a piston from one end of its range to the other, constituting a half revolution of the engine
  10. Rowing
    1. the rower who sits nearest the stern and sets the rate of rowing for the others
    2. the position occupied by this rower

Etymology: ME, akin to Ger streich, a stroke, OE strican: see strike

transitive verb stroked, strok·ing

  1. to draw one's hand, a tool, etc. gently over the surface of, as in caressing or smoothing
  2. to mark with strokes or draw a line through: often with out
  3. to hit; esp., to hit (a ball) in playing tennis, golf, pool, etc.
  4. to set the rate of rowing for (a crew) or for the crew of (a boat)
  5. Informal to flatter, pay special attention to, etc. in an effort to influence, reassure, persuade, etc.
  6. Slang to masturbate: said of a man

Etymology: ME stroken < OE stracian, akin to strican: see strike

intransitive verb

  1. to hit a ball in playing tennis, golf, etc.
  2. to act as stroke (for) in rowing

adjective

Slang of or for masturbating a stroke book

stroke Idioms

keep stroke

to make strokes in rhythm

stroke Synonyms

stroke

n.

box, cuff, rap; see blow 1.

stroke Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • half-time: A crude challenge from Richard Langley sent Albion midfielder Jason Koumas crashing to the ground 20 yards from goal on the stroke of half-time.
  • genius: What a stroke of genius - have they found the ultimate answer?
  • midnight: At the stroke of midnight on the the year 2000, an RAF Phantom II jet fighter flew again over the fields of Lincolnshire.
  • luck: I must admit I was wondering where our next stroke of bad luck was going to come from over the closing laps.
  • halftime: Just before the stroke of halftime the curse of ankle injuries struck again, Higdon suffered this time by landing funny on his ankle.
  • pen: With the stroke of a pen Egypt became part of the Cold War.

Converse of object

  • suffer: His mother, who is in her 80s, suffered a massive stroke three years ago.
  • swim: People taking part can participate in the event by swimming any stroke of their choosing even doggy paddle.

Adjective modifier

  • ischaemic: What are the mortality rates for ischaemic stroke in the East Midlands?
  • haemorrhagic: Stroke was further characterized into ischaemic, or haemorrhagic stroke.
  • acute: Sample groups Patients with acute stroke admitted to hospital.
  • hemorrhagic: Development of computerized tomography ( CT ) that radically changes early diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.
  • oblique: When the oblique stroke is used we do not necessarily use the d sign.
  • recurrent: Around 500 people will sustain at least one recurrent stroke each year.

Modifies a noun

  • survivor: We organize a variety of trips and funding for the stroke survivors and any children is provided by the group.
  • rehabilitation: A stroke rehabilitation unit has been established at Newton Abbot Hospital to increase our local hospital capacity for specialist stroke care.
  • victim: Some of the biggest names in comedy are joining forces for a major benefit gig in aid of stroke victims.

Noun used with modifier

  • brush: His gesture inspired the next bit of art: all brush strokes made in the finished piece are in the shape of a cross.
  • rowing: Force analysis of the rowing stroke employing two different oar grips.
  • backhand: Figure 1, above, illustrates a tennis player's self-assessment and his coach's assessment in relation to his backhand strokes.
stroke Quotes

   A picture that is beautiful, or that comes off, or that works, looks as if it was all made at one stroke.

—Frankenthaler, Helen

The stroke of midnight ceases, And I lie down alone.

—Housman, A(lfred) E(dward)

I am disappointed by that stroke of death, which has eclipsed the gaiety of nations, and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure.

—Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson

This would, at a stroke, reducetherise in prices, increase productivity, and reduce unemployment.

—Hearst,William Randolph

Browse dictionary entries near stroke

  1. stroganoff
  2. strode
  3. stroboscope
  4. strobilus
  5. strobile
  6. strobila
  7. strobe
  8. strive
  9. stripy
  10. striptease
  1. stroke oar
  2. stroke play
  3. stroll
  4. stroller
  5. stroma
  6. stromatolite
  7. Stromboli
  8. strong
  9. strong-arm
  10. strong breeze