stroke stroke /ˈstroʊk/

noun

1. () (sport) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand  ( stroke , shot )
   (sport) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
    It took two strokes to get out of the bunker
   it took two strokes to get out of the bunker
    A good shot requires good balance and tempo
   a good shot requires good balance and tempo
    He left me an almost impossible shot
   he left me an almost impossible shot
   
2. () The maximum movement available to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam  ( cam stroke , throw , stroke )
   the maximum movement available to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam
   
3. () A light touch with the hands  ( stroking , stroke )
   a light touch with the hands
   
4. () A light touch  ( stroke )
   a light touch
   
5. () A sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain  ( apoplexy , cerebrovascular accident , CVA , stroke )
   a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain
    He suffered a stroke that left him with partial paralysis on one side of his body
   He suffered a stroke that left him with partial paralysis on one side of his body
   
   
6. A single complete movement  ( stroke )
   a single complete movement
   
7. Any one of the repeated movements of the limbs and body used for locomotion in swimming or rowing  ( stroke )
   any one of the repeated movements of the limbs and body used for locomotion in swimming or rowing
    Each swimming stroke has its own unique style and requires different muscle groups to be utilized
   Each swimming stroke has its own unique style and requires different muscle groups to be utilized
   
8. A mark made on a surface by a pen, pencil, or paintbrush  ( stroke )
   a mark made on a surface by a pen, pencil, or paintbrush
    She applied the paint in careful strokes
   she applied the paint in careful strokes
   
9. A punctuation mark (/) used to separate related items of information  ( diagonal , separatrix , slash , solidus [Canadian, British] , stroke , virgule )
   a punctuation mark (/) used to separate related items of information
   
10. Anything that happens suddenly or by chance without an apparent cause  ( chance event , fortuity , stroke , accident )
    anything that happens suddenly or by chance without an apparent cause
     Winning the lottery was a happy accident
    winning the lottery was a happy accident
     The pregnancy was a stroke of bad luck
    the pregnancy was a stroke of bad luck
     It was due to an accident or fortuity
    it was due to an accident or fortuity
    
11. The oarsman nearest the stern of the shell who sets the pace for the rest of the crew  ( stroke )
    the oarsman nearest the stern of the shell who sets the pace for the rest of the crew
    
12. (golf) the unit of scoring in golf is the act of hitting the ball with a club  ( stroke )
    (golf) the unit of scoring in golf is the act of hitting the ball with a club
     Nicklaus won by three strokes
    Nicklaus won by three strokes
    

verb

1. () Touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions  ( stroke )
   touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions
    He stroked his long beard
   He stroked his long beard
   
2. () Strike a ball with a smooth blow  ( stroke )
   strike a ball with a smooth blow
   
3. Treat gingerly or carefully  ( stroke )
   treat gingerly or carefully
    You have to stroke the boss
   You have to stroke the boss
   
4. Row at a particular rate  ( stroke )
   row at a particular rate