stroke
verb
- to caress or perform a smooth motion over or across a surface
noun
- problem of the arteries supplying blood to the brain
- reciprocating motion, used in reciprocating engines and other mechanisms
- term which has multiple meanings within the sport of rowing
- line through a character
- touching in an intimate manner
- act or process of performing a smooth motion over or across a surface
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /stɹəʊk/ / /stɹoʊk/ / /stɹʌok/
noun
Etymology: The verb is derived from Middle English stroken, straken (“to caress, fondle, pat, rub, smooth, stroke; to pass something over (someone or something); to brush or rub against;”) [and other forms], from Old English strācian (“to stroke”), from Proto-West Germanic *straikōn (“to caress, stroke”), from *straik (“a line, stroke; a dash”) (see further at etymology 1) + *-ōn (suffix forming verbs from nouns). The noun is derived from the verb. Cognates * German streicheln (“to stroke, fondle”) * German Low German straken, strieken, strakeln, striekeln (“to stroke; caress; fondle”) * Middle Low German strēken, Middle Dutch strēken (modern Dutch streeken) * Old High German strīhhan, streihhōn, Middle High German strīchen (modern German streichen (“to stroke; to rub; to spread; to apply; to paint; to cancel; to cross out, strike out; to delete; to discard”)) * Saterland Frisian strookje (“to stroke; caress”) * West Frisian streakje (“to stroke; caress”)
- An act of moving one's hand or an object along a surface in one direction, touching it lightly; a caress.
“She gave the cat a stroke.”
- A gesture of assurance given as encouragement; specifically (psychoanalysis) in transactional analysis: a (generally positive) reaction expressed to a person which fulfils their desires or needs.
“Not providing a stroke to a client can sometimes facilitate the client in becoming aware of their neediness or desire for approval. By not giving a stroke, the client's need is brought to the surface, where it is amenable to change, […]”
- A flattering or friendly act, comment, etc., done or made to a person to influence them.
verb
Etymology: The verb is derived from Middle English stroken, straken (“to caress, fondle, pat, rub, smooth, stroke; to pass something over (someone or something); to brush or rub against;”) [and other forms], from Old English strācian (“to stroke”), from Proto-West Germanic *straikōn (“to caress, stroke”), from *straik (“a line, stroke; a dash”) (see further at etymology 1) + *-ōn (suffix forming verbs from nouns). The noun is derived from the verb. Cognates * German streicheln (“to stroke, fondle”) * German Low German straken, strieken, strakeln, striekeln (“to stroke; caress; fondle”) * Middle Low German strēken, Middle Dutch strēken (modern Dutch streeken) * Old High German strīhhan, streihhōn, Middle High German strīchen (modern German streichen (“to stroke; to rub; to spread; to apply; to paint; to cancel; to cross out, strike out; to delete; to discard”)) * Saterland Frisian strookje (“to stroke; caress”) * West Frisian streakje (“to stroke; caress”)
- To move one's hand or an object (such as a broom or brush) along (a surface) in one direction, touching it lightly; to caress.
“His Majestie began first to touch for yᵉ evil, according to custome, thus: his Maᵗⁱᵉ sitting under his State in yᵉ Banquetting House, the Chirurgeons cause the sick to be brought or led up to the throne, where they kneeling, yᵉ King strokes their faces or cheekes with both his hands at once, at which instant a Chaplaine in his formalities says, "He put his hands upon them and he healed them."”
“The tender Sire, vvho ſavv her bluſh, and cry, / Aſcrib'd it all to Maiden-modeſty, / And dry'd the falling Drops, and yet more kind, / He ſtroak'd her Cheeks, and holy Kiſſes join'd.”
- To move one's hand or an object (such as a broom or brush) along (a surface) in one direction, touching it lightly; to caress.
- To bring (something) to a certain condition by stroking (sense 1).
- To give assurance to (someone) through encouragement.
“[W]hen thou cam'ſt firſt / Thou ſtroakſt me, & made much of me: […]”
- To influence (someone) by convincing or flattering them.
- To milk (a cow or other animal); especially, to squeeze the teat of (a cow, etc.) to extract the last bit of milk from the udder; to strap (dialectal), to strip.
- To give a finely fluted surface to (stone) by carving it with a tool.
- To sharpen (a knife or other cutting instrument) by honing or rubbing it against a surface.
- To soothe (someone); also, to flatter or indulge (someone).