I. ˈstrōk transitive verb
( stroked ; strok·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English strācian; akin to Old High German strīhhan to stroke — more at strike
Date: before 12th century
1. : to rub gently in one direction ; also : caress
2. : to flatter or pay attention to in a manner designed to reassure or persuade
• strok·er noun
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English; akin to Old English strīcan to stroke — more at strike
Date: 13th century
1. : the act of striking ; especially : a blow with a weapon or implement
2. : a single unbroken movement ; especially : one of a series of repeated or to-and-fro movements
3.
a. : a controlled swing intended to hit a ball or shuttlecock ; also : a striking of the ball
b. : such a stroke charged to a player as a unit of scoring in golf
4.
a. : a sudden action or process producing an impact
a stroke of lightning
b. : an unexpected result
a stroke of luck
5. : sudden diminution or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion caused by rupture or obstruction (as by a clot) of a blood vessel of the brain — called also apoplexy, cerebrovascular accident
6.
a. : one of a series of propelling beats or movements against a resisting medium
a stroke of the oar
b. : a rower who sets the pace for a crew
7.
a. : a vigorous or energetic effort by which something is done, produced, or accomplished
a stroke of genius
a brilliant diplomatic stroke
b. : a delicate or clever touch in a narrative, description, or construction
8. : heartbeat
9. : the movement in either direction of a mechanical part (as a piston) having a reciprocating motion ; also : the distance of such movement
10. : the sound of a bell being struck
at the stroke of twelve
also : the specific time indicated by or as if by such a sound
11.
[ stroke (I)]
: an act of stroking or caressing
12.
a. : a mark or dash made by a single movement of an implement
b. : one of the lines of a letter of the alphabet
•
- at a stroke
III. verb
( stroked ; strok·ing )
Date: 1597
transitive verb
1.
a. : to mark with a short line
stroke the t 's
b. : to cancel by drawing a line through
stroked out his name
2. : to set the stroke for (a rowing crew) ; also : to set the stroke for the crew of (a rowing boat)
3. : hit ; especially : to propel (a ball) with a controlled swinging blow
intransitive verb
1. : to execute a stroke
2. : to row at a certain number of strokes a minute