■ verb ( past and past participle struck strʌk )
1》 deliver a blow to.
↘accidentally hit (a part of one's body) against something.
↘come into forcible contact with.
↘(in sporting contexts) hit or kick (a ball).
↘ignite (a match) by rubbing it briskly against an abrasive surface.
↘bring (an electric arc) into being.
2》 (of a disaster, disease, etc.) occur suddenly and have harmful effects on.
↘attack suddenly.
↘( ~ something into ) cause a strong emotion in.
↘cause to become suddenly: he was struck dumb.
3》 suddenly come into the mind of.
↘cause to have a particular impression.
↘( be struck by/with ) find particularly interesting or impressive.
↘( be struck on ) informal be deeply fond of.
4》 (of employees) refuse to work as a form of organized protest.
↘ N. Amer. undertake such action against (an employer).
5》 cancel or remove by or as if by crossing out with a pen.
↘( ~ someone off ) officially remove someone from membership of a professional group.
6》 move or proceed vigorously or purposefully.
↘( ~ out ) start out on a new or independent course.
7》 reach (an agreement, balance, or compromise).
↘(in financial contexts) reach (a figure) by balancing an account.
8》 (of a clock) indicate the time by sounding a chime or stroke.
9》 make (a coin or medal) by stamping metal.
10》 discover (gold, minerals, or oil) by drilling or mining.
↘( ~ on/upon ) discover or think of, especially unexpectedly.
11》 take down or dismantle (a tent, camp, or theatrical scenery).
↘lower or take down (a flag or sail).
12》 insert (a cutting of a plant) in soil to take root.
↘develop roots.
↘(of a young oyster) attach itself to a bed.
13》 Fishing secure a hook in the mouth of a fish by jerking or tightening the line after it has taken the bait or fly.
■ noun
1》 an act of striking by employees.
↘a refusal to do something as an organized protest: a rent ~.
2》 a sudden attack, typically a military one.
3》 (in sporting contexts) an act of striking a ball.
↘(in tenpin bowling) an act of knocking down all the pins with one's first ball.
↘ Baseball a batter's unsuccessful attempt to hit a pitched ball.
↘ Baseball a pitch that passes through the ~ zone.
4》 N. Amer. something to one's discredit.
5》 an act of striking gold, minerals, or oil.
6》 the horizontal or compass direction of a stratum, fault, or other geological feature.
Phrases
~ an attitude (or pose ) hold one's body in a particular position to create an impression.
~ a blow for (or at or against ) do something to help (or hinder) a cause, belief, or principle.
~ a light Brit. informal, dated used to express surprise, dismay, or alarm.
~ while the iron is hot make immediate use of an opportunity.
Phrasal verbs
~ back
1》 retaliate.
2》 (of a gas burner) burn from an internal point before the gas has become mixed with air.
~ someone out (or ~ out )
1》 Baseball dismiss someone (or be dismissed) by means of three ~s.
2》 ( ~ out ) N. Amer. informal be unsuccessful.
~ up (or ~ something up )
1》 begin to play a piece of music.
2》 ( ~ something up ) begin a friendship or conversation with someone.
Origin
OE strīcan 'go, flow' and 'rub lightly', of W. Gmc origin; related to stroke .