Stroke

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language

·vt Power; influence.

II. Stroke ·vt To make smooth by rubbing.

III. Stroke ·Impf Struck.

IV. Stroke ·vt Appetite.

V. Stroke ·vt To Strike.

VI. Stroke ·vt A throb or beat, as of the heart.

VII. Stroke ·vt To give a finely fluted surface to.

VIII. Stroke ·vt The striking of the clock to tell the hour.

IX. Stroke ·vt To row the stroke oar of; as, to stroke a boat.

X. Stroke ·vt The rower who pulls the stroke oar; the strokesman.

XI. Stroke ·vt The rate of succession of stroke; as, a quick stroke.

XII. Stroke ·vt A gentle, caressing touch or movement upon something; a stroking.

XIII. Stroke ·vt The result of effect of a striking; injury or affliction; soreness.

XIV. Stroke ·vt The oar nearest the stern of a boat, by which the other oars are guided;

— called also stroke oar.

XV. Stroke ·vt A mark or dash in writing or printing; a line; the touch of a pen or pencil; as, an up stroke; a firm stroke.

XVI. Stroke ·vt The act of striking; a blow; a hit; a knock; ·esp., a violent or hostile attack made with the arm or hand, or with an instrument or weapon.

XVII. Stroke ·vt Hence, by extension, an addition or amandment to a written composition; a touch; as, to give some finishing strokes to an Essay.

XVIII. Stroke ·vt A sudden attack of disease; especially, a fatal attack; a severe disaster; any affliction or calamity, especially a sudden one; as, a stroke of apoplexy; the stroke of death.

XIX. Stroke ·vt To rib gently in one direction; especially, to pass the hand gently over by way of expressing kindness or tenderness; to Caress; to Soothe.

XX. Stroke ·vt A powerful or sudden effort by which something is done, produced, or accomplished; also, something done or accomplished by such an effort; as, a stroke of genius; a stroke of business; a master stroke of policy.

XXI. Stroke ·vt One of a series of beats or movements against a resisting medium, by means of which movement through or upon it is accomplished; as, the stroke of a bird's wing in flying, or an oar in rowing, of a skater, swimmer, ·etc.

XXII. Stroke ·vt The movement, in either direction, of the piston plunger, piston rod, crosshead, ·etc., as of a steam engine or a pump, in which these parts have a reciprocating motion; as, the forward stroke of a piston; also, the entire distance passed through, as by a piston, in such a movement; as, the piston is at half stroke.