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.
Phrases and idioms:
streak of lightning a sudden prominent flash of lightning.
Derivatives:
streaker n. streaking n.
Etymology: OE strica pen-stroke f. Gmc: rel. to STRIKE