■ noun
1》 a long, thin mark of a different substance or colour from its surroundings.
2》 an element of a specified kind in someone's character: a ruthless ~.
3》 a spell of specified success or luck.
■ verb
1》 mark with ~s.
2》 move very fast in a specified direction.
3》 informal run naked in a public place so as to shock or amuse.
Phrases
like a ~ informal very fast.
~ of lightning a flash of lightning.
Derivatives
~er noun
~ing noun
Origin
OE strica , of Gmc origin; related to strike .