v. & n.
v. (past struck; past part. struck or archaic stricken) 1 a tr. subject to an impact. b tr. deliver (a blow) or inflict a blow on. 2 tr. come or bring sharply into contact with (the ship struck a rock). 3 tr. propel or divert with a blow (struck the ball into the pond). 4 intr. (foll. by at) try to hit. 5 tr. penetrate or cause to penetrate (struck terror into him). 6 tr. ignite (a match) or produce (sparks etc.) by rubbing. 7 tr. make (a coin) by stamping. 8 tr. produce (a musical note) by striking. 9 a tr. (also absol.) (of a clock) indicate (the time) by the sounding of a chime etc. b intr. (of time) be indicated in this way. 10 tr. a attack suddenly (was struck with sudden terror). b (of a disease) afflict. 11 tr. cause to become suddenly (was struck dumb). 12 tr. reach or achieve (strike a balance). 13 tr. agree on (a bargain). 14 tr. assume (an attitude) suddenly and dramatically. 15 tr. a discover or come across. b find (oil etc.) by drilling. c encounter (an unusual thing etc.). 16 come to the attention of or appear to (it strikes me as silly; an idea suddenly struck me). 17 a intr. (of employees) engage in a strike; cease work as a protest. b tr. US act in this way against (an employer). 18 a tr. lower or take down (a flag or tent etc.). b intr. signify surrender by striking a flag; surrender. 19 intr. take a specified direction (struck east). 20 tr. (also absol.) secure a hook in the mouth of (a fish) by jerking the tackle. 21 tr. (of a snake) wound with its fangs. 22 intr. (of oysters) attach themselves to a bed. 23 a tr. insert (the cutting of a plant) in soil to take root. b tr. (also absol.) (of a plant or cutting etc.) put forth (roots). 24 tr. level (grain etc. or the measure) in strike-measure. 25 tr. a ascertain (a balance) by deducting credit or debit from the other. b arrive at (an average, state of balance) by equalizing all items. 26 compose (a jury) esp. by allowing both sides to reject the same number.
n. 1 the act or an instance of striking. 2 a the organized refusal by employees to work until some grievance is remedied. b a similar refusal to participate in some other expected activity. 3 a sudden find or success (a lucky strike). 4 an attack, esp. from the air. 5 Baseball a batter's unsuccessful attempt to hit a pitched ball, or another event counting equivalently against a batter. 6 the act of knocking down all the pins with the first ball in bowling. 7 horizontal direction in a geological structure. 8 a strickle. on strike taking part in an industrial etc. strike. strike at the root (or roots) of see ROOT(1). strike back 1 strike or attack in return. 2 (of a gas-burner) burn from an internal point before the gas has become mixed with air. strike down 1 knock down. 2 bring low; afflict (struck down by a virus). strike home 1 deal an effective blow. 2 have an intended effect (my words struck home). strike in 1 intervene in a conversation etc. 2 (of a disease) attack the interior of the body from the surface. strike it rich colloq. find a source of abundance or success. strike a light 1 produce a light by striking a match. 2 Brit. sl. an expression of surprise, disgust, etc. strike lucky have a lucky success. strike-measure measurement by passing a rod across the top of a heaped vessel to ensure that it is exactly full. strike off 1 remove with a stroke. 2 delete (a name etc.) from a list. 3 produce (copies of a document). strike oil 1 find petroleum by sinking a shaft. 2 attain prosperity or success. strike out 1 hit out. 2 act vigorously. 3 delete (an item or name etc.). 4 set off or begin (struck out eastwards). 5 use the arms and legs in swimming. 6 forge or devise (a plan etc.). 7 Baseball a dismiss (a batter) by means of three strikes. b be dismissed in this way. strike pay an allowance paid to strikers by their trade union. strike through delete (a word etc.) with a stroke of one's pen. strike up 1 start (an acquaintance, conversation, etc.) esp. casually. 2 (also absol.) begin playing (a tune etc.). strike upon 1 have (an idea etc.) luckily occur to one. 2 (of light) illuminate. strike while the iron is hot act promptly at a good opportunity. struck on colloq. infatuated with. strikable adj.
[ OE strican go, stroke f. WG ]