n. & v.
--n.
1. the act or an instance of striking; a blow or hit (with a single stroke; a stroke of lightning).
2 a sudden disabling attack or loss of consciousness caused by an interruption in the flow of blood to the brain, esp. through thrombosis; apoplexy.
3 a an action or movement esp. as one of a series. b the time or way in which such movements are done. c the slightest such action (has not done a stroke of work).
4 the whole of the motion (of a wing, oar, etc.) until the starting-position is regained.
5 (in rowing) the mode or action of moving the oar (row a fast stroke).
6 the whole motion (of a piston) in either direction.
7 Golf the action of hitting (or hitting at) a ball with a club, as a unit of scoring.
8 a mode of moving the arms and legs in swimming.
9 a method of striking with the bat etc. in games etc. (played some unorthodox strokes).
10 a specially successful or skilful effort (a stroke of diplomacy).
11 a a mark made by the movement in one direction of a pen or pencil or paintbrush. b a similar mark printed.
12 a detail contributing to the general effect in a description.
13 the sound made by a striking clock.
14 (in full stroke oar) the oar or oarsman nearest the stern, setting the time of the stroke.
15 the act or a spell of stroking.
--v.tr.
1. pass one's hand gently along the surface of (hair or fur etc.); caress lightly.
2 act as the stroke of (a boat or crew).
Phrases and idioms:
at a stroke by a single action. finishing stroke a coup de gr{acirc}ce; a final and fatal stroke. off one's stroke not performing as well as usual. on the stroke punctually. on the stroke of nine etc. with the clock about to strike nine etc. stroke a person down appease a person's anger. stroke of business a profitable transaction. stroke of genius an original or strikingly successful idea. stroke of luck (or good luck) an unforeseen opportune occurrence. stroke play Golf play in which the score is reckoned by counting the number of strokes taken for the round (cf. match play (see MATCH(1))). stroke a person (or a person's hair) the wrong way irritate a person.
Etymology: OE stracian f. Gmc, rel. to STRIKE