vt power; influence.
2. stroke ·vt to make smooth by rubbing.
3. stroke ·impf struck.
4. stroke ·vt appetite.
5. stroke ·vt to strike.
6. stroke ·vt a throb or beat, as of the heart.
7. stroke ·vt to give a finely fluted surface to.
8. stroke ·vt the striking of the clock to tell the hour.
9. stroke ·vt to row the stroke oar of; as, to stroke a boat.
10. stroke ·vt the rower who pulls the stroke oar; the strokesman.
11. stroke ·vt the rate of succession of stroke; as, a quick stroke.
12. stroke ·vt a gentle, caressing touch or movement upon something; a stroking.
13. stroke ·vt the result of effect of a striking; injury or affliction; soreness.
14. stroke ·vt the oar nearest the stern of a boat, by which the other oars are guided;
called also stroke oar.
15. stroke ·vt a mark or dash in writing or printing; a line; the touch of a pen or pencil; as, an up stroke; a firm stroke.
xvi. stroke ·vt the act of striking; a blow; a hit; a knock; ·esp., a violent or hostile attack made with the arm or hand, or with an instrument or weapon.
xvii. stroke ·vt hence, by extension, an addition or amandment to a written composition; a touch; as, to give some finishing strokes to an essay.
xviii. stroke ·vt a sudden attack of disease; especially, a fatal attack; a severe disaster; any affliction or calamity, especially a sudden one; as, a stroke of apoplexy; the stroke of death.
xix. stroke ·vt to rib gently in one direction; especially, to pass the hand gently over by way of expressing kindness or tenderness; to caress; to soothe.
xx. stroke ·vt a powerful or sudden effort by which something is done, produced, or accomplished; also, something done or accomplished by such an effort; as, a stroke of genius; a stroke of business; a master stroke of policy.
xxi. stroke ·vt one of a series of beats or movements against a resisting medium, by means of which movement through or upon it is accomplished; as, the stroke of a bird's wing in flying, or an oar in rowing, of a skater, swimmer, ·etc.
xxii. stroke ·vt the movement, in either direction, of the piston plunger, piston rod, crosshead, ·etc., as of a steam engine or a pump, in which these parts have a reciprocating motion; as, the forward stroke of a piston; also, the entire distance passed through, as by a piston, in such a movement; as, the piston is at half stroke.