Main Entry: ¹strike

Pronunciation: \ˈstrīk\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): struck \ˈstrək\; struck also strick·en \ˈstri-kən\; strik·ing \ˈstrī-kiŋ\

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English strīcan to stroke, go; akin to Old High German strīhhan to stroke, Latin stringere to touch lightly, striga, stria furrow

Date: before 12th century

intransitive verb 1 : to take a course : go <struck off through the brush>
2 a : to aim and usually deliver a blow, stroke, or thrust (as with the hand, a weapon, or a tool) b : to arrive with detrimental effect <disaster struck> c : to attempt to undermine or harm something as if by a blow <struck at…cherished notions — R. P. Warren>
3 : to come into contact forcefully <two ships struck in mid channel>
4 : to delete something
5 : to lower a flag usually in surrender
6 a : to become indicated by a clock, bell, or chime <the hour had just struck> b : to make known the time by sounding <the clock struck as they entered>
7 : pierce, penetrate <the wind seemed to strike through our clothes>
8 a : to engage in battle b : to make a military attack
9 : to become ignited <the match struck>
10 : to discover something <struck on a new plan of attack>
11 a : to pull on a fishing rod in order to set the hook b of a fish : to seize the bait
12 : dart, shoot
13 a of a plant cutting : to take root b of a seed : germinate
14 : to make an impression
15 : to stop work in order to force an employer to comply with demands
16 : to make a beginning <the need to strike vigorously for success>
17 : to thrust oneself forward <he struck into the midst of the argument>
18 : to work diligently : strivetransitive verb 1 a : to strike at : hit b : to drive or remove by or as if by a blow c : to attack or seize with a sharp blow (as of fangs or claws) <struck by a snake> d : inflict <strike a blow> e : to produce by or as if by a blow or stroke <Moses struck water from the rock> f : to separate by a sharp blow <strike off flints>
2 a : to haul down : lower <strike the sails> b : to dismantle and take away <strike the set> c : to strike the tents of (a camp)
3 : to afflict suddenly <stricken by a heart attack>
4 a : to engage in (a battle) : fight b : to make a military attack on
5 : delete, cancel <strike the last paragraph>
6 a : to penetrate painfully : pierce b : to cause to penetrate <strike the needle> c : to send down or out <trees struck roots deep into the soil>
7 a : to level (as a measure of grain) by scraping off what is above the rim b : to smooth or form (as a mold) with a tool
8 : to indicate by sounding <the clock struck one>
9 a (1) : to bring into forceful contact <struck his head on the doorjamb> (2) : to shake (hands) in confirming an agreement (3) : to thrust suddenly b : to come into contact or collision with <the car struck the tree> c of light : to fall on d of a sound : to become audible to
10 a : to affect with a mental or emotional state or a strong emotion <struck with horror at the sight> b : to affect a person with (a strong emotion) <words that struck fear in the listeners> c : to cause to become by or as if by a sudden blow <struck him dead>
11 a : to produce by stamping <strike a coin> b (1) : to produce (as fire) by or as if by striking (2) : to cause to ignite by friction <strike a match>
12 : to make and ratify the terms of <strike a bargain>
13 a : to play or produce by stroking keys or strings <struck a series of chords on the piano> b : to produce as if by playing an instrument <his voice struck a note of concern>
14 a : to hook (a fish) by a sharp pull on the line b of a fish : to snatch at (a bait)
15 a : to occur to <the answer struck me suddenly> b : to appear to especially as a revelation or as remarkable : impress <it struck the crowd as insensitive>
16 : bewitch
17 : to arrive at by or as if by computation <strike a balance>
18 a : to come to : attain b : to come upon : discover <strike gold>
19 : to engage in a strike against (an employer)
20 : take on, assume <strike a pose>
21 a : to place (a plant cutting) in a medium for growth and rooting b : to so propagate (a plant)
22 : to make one's way along <will strike the southern coast>
23 : to cause (an arc) to form (as between electrodes of an arc lamp)
24 of an insect : to oviposit on or in

synonyms see affect

— strike it rich : to become rich usually suddenly