stroke
4 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
strokes
plural
strokes
Britannica Dictionary definition of STROKE
1
[count]
medical
:
a serious illness caused when a blood vessel in your brain suddenly breaks or is blocked
—
see also sunstroke
-
He had/suffered a stroke last winter.
-
a stroke patient/victim
2
[count]
a
:
an act of hitting a ball or the movement made to hit a ball during a game
—
see also ground stroke
-
She has a strong backhand stroke.
-
a forceful stroke
b
golf
:
an act of hitting the ball that is counted as part of a player's score
-
He is ahead by two strokes.
3
[count]
a
:
one of a series of repeated movements of your arms in swimming or rowing that you make to move yourself or the boat through the water
-
She swims with long, smooth strokes.
-
the stroke of an oar
4
[count]
:
one of a series of repeated movements by something that goes up and down or back and forth
-
The bird soared higher with each stroke of its wings.
-
the stroke of a piston
5
[count]
:
an act of hitting someone or something with a stick, whip, etc.
-
a stroke of the whip
6
[count]
:
a gentle movement of your hand over or along something
-
She gave the cat a stroke. [=she stroked the cat]
7
[count]
:
a single act of moving a pen or brush when it is being used to write or paint
-
He writes with smooth strokes.
-
You can see the strokes of the painter's brush throughout the painting.
-
(figurative) He has the power to end this policy with a (single) stroke of a/the/his pen. [=by signing a law, order, etc., which ends it]
also
:
a line or mark made by a pen or brush
—
see also brushstroke, keystroke
-
A few strokes (of paint) form the basic shape of the horse.
8
a
[count]
:
one of the sounds made by a clock or bell to indicate a particular time
-
the first stroke of the clock at midnight
b
[singular]
:
an exact time
-
They arrived at the stroke of midnight. [=exactly at midnight]
9
[count]
:
a single decisive action
-
She solved all our problems with a single, brilliant/bold stroke.
-
We can resolve this at/by/in/with one stroke.
10
[count]
:
something good, lucky, etc., that happens or is thought of suddenly
— usually singular
-
Her idea for the design for the interior was a stroke of inspiration.
-
It was only by a stroke of luck that we found a parking spot.
-
It was a lucky stroke.
-
Deciding to relocate the company was a stroke of genius. [=a brilliant idea]
11
[count]
:
a bright flash of lightning
-
a stroke of lightning
a stroke of work
informal
:
any work at all
-
They haven't done a stroke of work all day.
put (someone) off their stroke
British
:
to cause someone to hesitate or be confused
-
The last-minute change of plans put me off my stroke.
2
stroke
/ˈstroʊk/
verb
strokes;
stroked;
stroking
2
stroke
/ˈstroʊk/
verb
strokes;
stroked;
stroking
Britannica Dictionary definition of STROKE
[+ object]
1
:
to move your hand over (someone or something) gently and in one direction
-
She was stroking the cat's fur.
2
always followed by an adverb or preposition
a
:
to move (something) gently in one direction
-
He stroked the pen lightly over the paper.
b
:
to hit or kick (a ball) with a smooth movement
-
She stroked the ball toward the hole.
3
chiefly US, informal
:
to say nice things to (someone) in order to get approval, agreement, etc.
-
You're just stroking me so I'll go along with you.
-
She works with celebrities and spends half her time stroking their egos.
