stroke

I

[[t]stroʊk[/t]]

n. v. stroked, strok•ing

1) an act or instance of striking, as with the fist or a hammer; blow

2) a hitting of or upon anything

3) a striking of a clapper or hammer, as on a bell, or the sound produced by this

4) a throb or pulsation, as of the heart

5) pat a blockage or hemorrhage of a blood vessel leading to the brain, causing an inadequate oxygen supply and often long-term impairment of sensation, movement, or functioning of part of the body

6) a sudden, vigorous action or movement likened to a blow in its effect

7) spo a hitting of the ball in tennis, pool, etc

8) a single complete movement, esp. one continuously repeated in some process

9) fia

a) a movement of a pen, pencil, brush, or the like

b) a mark made by such a movement

10) a distinctive or effective touch in a literary composition

11) a piece or portion of work

12) an attempt to attain some object:

a bold stroke for liberty[/ex]

13) a feat; achievement:

a stroke of genius[/ex]

14) a sudden or chance happening:

a stroke of luck[/ex]

15) spo

a) a type or method of swimming:

The crawl is a rapid stroke[/ex]

b) any of the successive movements of the arms and legs in swimming

16) spo

a) a single pull of the oar

b) the manner or style of moving the oars

c) Also called stroke′ oar`. the crew member nearest to the stern of the boat, to whose strokes those of the other crew members must conform

17)

a) mac one of a series of alternating continuous movements of a mechanical component back and forth over or through the same line

b) mac the complete movement of a moving part, esp. a reciprocating part, in one direction

18) to mark with a stroke or strokes; cancel, as by a stroke of a pen

19) spo

a) to row as a stroke oar of (a boat or crew)

b) to set the stroke for the crew of (a boat)

20) spo to hit (a ball), as with a smooth swing of a bat

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Etymology: 1250–1300; ME strok, strak (n.), prob. continuing OE *strāc (whence strācian to stroke II) II

stroke

[[t]stroʊk[/t]] v. stroked, strok•ing, n.

1) to pass the hand or an instrument over gently, or with little pressure, as in soothing or caressing

2) cvb inf to promote feelings of self-approval in, as by praise or flattery

3) an act or instance of stroking

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Etymology: bef. 900; ME (v.), OE strācian, c. MD, MLG strēken, OHGstreihhōn; akin to strike