n. & v.
n. 1 a long thin usu. irregular line or band, esp. distinguished by colour (black with red streaks; a streak of light above the horizon). 2 a strain or element in a person's character (has a streak of mischief). 3 a spell or series (a winning streak). 4 a line of bacteria etc. placed on a culture medium.
v. 1 tr. mark with streaks. 2 intr. move very rapidly. 3 intr. colloq. run naked in a public place as a stunt. streak of lightning a sudden prominent flash of lightning. streaker n. streaking n.
[ OE strica pen-stroke f. Gmc: rel. to STRIKE ]