stroke
stroke
UK[strəʊk]US[stroʊk]
n
An act of hitting or striking someone or something; a single blow.
n
A sudden disabling attack or loss of consciousness caused by an interruption in the flow of blood to the brain.
n
A mark made by drawing a pen, pencil, or paintbrush in one direction across a surface.
n
A single complete movement, especially in a repeated series.
v
To move one's hand gently over a surface, usually as a sign of affection.
Etymology
The word 'stroke' has a complex history rooted in the Proto-Germanic verb straikōną, meaning "to stroke, rub, or move lightly." This verb likely gave rise to two distinct but related Old English forms: the noun 'strāc' (a blow, stroke) and the verb 'strācian' (to caress). The semantic connection lies in the fundamental action of a sweeping or striking motion, which could be either violent (a blow) or gentle (a caress). Over time, the noun absorbed both senses, and its meaning expanded metaphorically to include a brushstroke, a medical event (a "strike" upon the body), and a single complete movement in activities like swimming or rowing. This journey from a concrete physical action to a range of specific and abstract applications showcases the typical evolution of a core Germanic lexical item.
Analysis
This is a simplex word of Germanic origin. The modern English form 'stroke' derives from the Old English verb 'strācian' meaning "to stroke, rub gently, caress," which is related to the Old English noun 'strāc' meaning "a stroke, blow."
Examples
He suffered a severe stroke last year but is recovering well.
With a single stroke of her pen, she signed the historic agreement.
The cat arched its back when she began to stroke its fur.