Main Entry:

¹streak

Pronunciation:

\ˈstrēk\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English streke, from Old English strica; akin to Old High German strich line, Latin striga row — more at strike

Date:

before 12th century

1: a line or mark of a different color or texture from the ground : stripe2 a: the color of the fine powder of a mineral obtained by scratching or rubbing against a hard white surface and constituting an important distinguishing character b: inoculum implanted in a line on a solid medium c: any of numerous virus diseases of plants (as tobacco and maize) resembling mosaic but usually producing at least some linear markings3 a: a narrow band of light b: a lightning bolt4 a: a slight admixture : trace <had a mean streak in him> b: a brief run (as of luck) c: a consecutive series <was on a winning streak>5: a narrow layer (as of fat)6: an act or instance of streaking