the word 'stricken' originates from the old english verb 'strīcan', meaning to go, move, or strike. it is the past participle of 'strike', which evolved through middle english from old english, influenced by old norse 'strīkja'. the semantic development from a physical action to a state of being afflicted is a classic example of grammaticalization, where a verb form becomes a fixed adjective. the modern abstract sense of being deeply affected by misfortune or illness emerged from the literal notion of being struck down by a blow.

the word is a past participle of the verb 'strike'. it functions as a fossilized participial adjective.