Stroke Definition

strōk

stroked, strokes, stroking

noun

strokes

A striking of one thing against another; blow or impact of an ax, whip, etc.

Webster's New World

The sound so produced.

American Heritage

A sudden action resulting in a powerful or destructive effect, as if from a blow.

A stroke of lightning.

Webster's New World

The time so indicated.

At the stroke of midnight.

American Heritage

A sudden occurrence, often a pleasant one.

A stroke of luck.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Antonyms:
failure
loss

verb

stroked, strokes, stroking

To rub lightly with or as if with the hand or something held in the hand; caress.

American Heritage

To draw one's hand, a tool, etc. gently over the surface of, as in caressing or smoothing.

Webster's New World

To mark with strokes or draw a line through.

Webster's New World

To draw a line through; cancel.

Stroked out the last sentence.

American Heritage

To behave attentively or flatteringly toward (someone), especially in order to restore confidence or gain cooperation.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

adjective

Of or for masturbating.

A stroke magazine.

Webster's New World

idiom

keep stroke

to make strokes in rhythm

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Stroke

Noun

Singular:

stroke

Plural:

strokes

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Stroke

keep stroke

Origin of Stroke

From Middle English *stroak, strok, strak, from Old English *strāc (“stroke"), from Proto-Germanic *straikaz (“stroke"), from Proto-Indo-European *streyg- (“stroke; to strike"). Cognate with Scots strak, strake, straik (“stroke, blow"), Middle Low German strÄ“k (“stroke, trick, prank"), German Streich (“stroke").

From Wiktionary
From Middle English stroken, straken, from Old English strācian (“to stroke"), from Proto-Germanic *straikōnÄ… (“to stroke, caress"). Cognate with German streicheln (“to stroke, fondle").

From Wiktionary
Middle English stroken from Old English strācian from strāc stroke stroke¹

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English probably from Old English strāc streig- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition