stroke

¹stroke

transitive verb \ˈstrōk\

strokedstrok·ing

Definition of STROKE

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

Origin of STROKE

Middle English, from Old English strācian; akin to Old High German strīhhan to stroke — more at strike

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with STROKE

bloke, broke, choke, cloak, coke, croak, folk, hoke, joke, moke, oak, poke, Polk, roque, smoke, soak, soke, spoke, stoke, toke, toque, yogh, yoke, yolk

²stroke

noun

Definition of STROKE

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, brain attack, 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

[¹stroke] : 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

: all at once <spent her savings at a stroke>

Examples of STROKE

1. He had a stroke last winter.
2. She has a strong backhand stroke.
3. He is ahead by two strokes.
4. She swims with long, smooth strokes.
5. the stroke of an oar
6. She knows the four basic strokes.

Origin of STROKE

Middle English; akin to Old English strīcan to stroke — more at strike

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to STROKE

Synonyms

bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, bop, box, buffet, bust, chop, clap, clip, clout, crack, cuff, dab, douse [British], fillip, hack, haymaker, hit, hook, knock, larrup [dialect], lash, lick, pelt, pick, plump, poke, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slug, smack, smash, sock, spank, stinger, stripe, ¹blow, swat, swipe, switch, thud, thump, thwack, wallop, welt, whack, wham, whop (also whap)

Related Words

counter, counterblow, counterpunch, counterstroke; body blow, hand, kick, knee, left, one-two, rabbit punch, right, right-hander, roundhouse, shiver, sidewinder, sucker punch, swing, uppercut; cruncher, kayo, knockdown, knockout, KO; bastinado (or bastinade), battering, beating, bludgeoning, clobbering, cudgeling (or cudgelling), drubbing, hammering, lambasting, licking, pasting, pounding, pummeling (also pummelling), thrashing; flogging, walloping, whip, whipping

³stroke

verb

strokedstrok·ing

Definition of STROKE

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

First Known Use of STROKE

1597

stroke

noun \ˈstrōk\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of STROKE

: 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, brain attack, cerebral accident, cerebrovascular accident; see hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, little stroke

stroke

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Sudden impairment of brain function due to hypoxia, which may cause death of brain tissue. Hypertension, atherosclerosis, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, old age, atrial fibrillation, and genetic defects are risk factors. Strokes due to thrombosis (the most common cause), embolism, or arterial spasm, which cause ischemia (reduced blood supply), must be distinguished from those due to hemorrhage (bleeding), which are usually severe and often fatal. Depending on its site in the brain, a stroke's effects may include aphasia, ataxia, local paralysis, and/or disorders of one or more senses. A massive stroke can produce one-sided paralysis, inability to speak, coma, or death within hours or days. Anticoagulants can arrest strokes caused by clots but worsen those caused by bleeding. If the cause is closure of the major artery to the brain, surgery may clear or bypass the obstruction. Rehabilitation and speech therapy should begin within two days to retain and restore as much function as possible, since survivors may live many more years. Transient ischemic attacks (“mini strokes”), with short-term loss of function, result from blockage of blood flow to small areas. They tend to recur and may worsen, leading to multi-infarct dementia or stroke.

Variants of STROKE

stroke or cerebrovascular accident (CVA)