First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1stroke
transitive verb \ˈstrōk\
strokedstrok·ing
Definition of STROKE
1
: to rub gently in one direction; also : caress
2
: to flatter or pay attention to in a manner designed to reassure or persuade
— strok·er noun
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Origin of STROKE
Middle English, from Old English strācian; akin to Old High German strīhhan to stroke — more at strike
2stroke
noun
medical : a serious illness caused when a blood vessel in your brain suddenly breaks or is blocked
: an act of hitting a ball or the movement made to hit a ball during a game
golf : an act of hitting the ball that is counted as part of a player's score
Full Definition of STROKE
1
: the act of striking; especially : a blow with a weapon or implement
2
: a single unbroken movement; especially : one of a series of repeated or to-and-fro movements
3
a : a controlled swing intended to hit a ball or shuttlecock; also : a striking of the ball b : such a stroke charged to a player as a unit of scoring in golf
4
a : a sudden action or process producing an impact <a stroke of lightning> b : an unexpected result <a stroke of luck>
5
: sudden diminution or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion caused by rupture or obstruction (as by a clot) of a blood vessel of the brain —called also apoplexy, brain attack, cerebrovascular accident
6
a : one of a series of propelling beats or movements against a resisting medium <a stroke of the oar> b : a rower who sets the pace for a crew
7
a : a vigorous or energetic effort by which something is done, produced, or accomplished <a stroke of genius> <a brilliant diplomatic stroke> b : a delicate or clever touch in a narrative, description, or construction
8
9
: the movement in either direction of a mechanical part (as a piston) having a reciprocating motion; also : the distance of such movement
10
: the sound of a bell being struck <at the stroke of twelve>; also : the specific time indicated by or as if by such a sound
11
[1stroke] : an act of stroking or caressing
12
a : a mark or dash made by a single movement of an implement b : one of the lines of a letter of the alphabet
— at a stroke
: all at once <spent her savings at a stroke>
See stroke defined for English-language learners
Origin of STROKE
Middle English; akin to Old English strīcan to stroke — more at strike
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to STROKE
- Synonyms
- bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, bop, box, buffet, bust, chop, clap, clip, clout, crack, cuff, dab, douse [British], fillip, hack, haymaker, hit, hook, knock, larrup [dialect], lash, lick, pelt, pick, plump, poke, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slug, smack, smash, sock, spank, stinger, stripe, 1blow, swat, swipe, switch, thud, thump, thwack, wallop, welt, whack, wham, whop (also whap)
3stroke
verb
strokedstrok·ing
Definition of STROKE
transitive verb
1
a : to mark with a short line <stroke the t's> b : to cancel by drawing a line through <stroked out his name>
2
: to set the stroke for (a rowing crew); also : to set the stroke for the crew of (a rowing boat)
3
: hit; especially : to propel (a ball) with a controlled swinging blow
intransitive verb
1
: to execute a stroke
2
: to row at a certain number of strokes a minute
First Known Use of STROKE
1597
STROKE[1] Defined for Kids
1stroke
verb \ˈstrōk\
strokedstrok·ing
Definition of STROKE for Kids
: to rub gently in one direction <I stroked the dog's head.>
2stroke
noun
Definition of STROKE for Kids
1
: the act of striking : blow <the stroke of a whip>
2
: one of a series of repeated movements (as in swimming or rowing)
3
: a sudden serious illness caused by the breaking or blocking of an artery in the brain
4
: the sound of striking (as of a clock or bell) <the stroke of midnight>
5
: the hitting of a ball in a game (as golf or tennis)
6
: a sudden or unexpected example <a stroke of luck>
7
: a single movement or the mark made by a single movement of a brush, pen, or tool
8
: a sudden action or process that results in something being struck <a stroke of lightning>
9
: effort by which something is done or the results of such effort <It was a stroke of genius.>
Medical Dictionary
stroke
noun \ˈstrōk\
Medical Definition of STROKE
: sudden diminution or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion caused by rupture or obstruction (as by a clot) of a blood vessel of the brain—called also apoplexy, brain attack, cerebral accident, cerebrovascular accident; see hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, little stroke
Learn More About STROKE
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