See Also: two-stroke(dictionary)
Stroke(health)
Stroke(medicine)
in-stroke(dictionary)
stroke(1)(dictionary)
stroke(2)(dictionary)
stroke(3)(dictionary)
stroke(4)(dictionary)
stroke(5)(dictionary)
stroke(encyclopedia)

stroke(4) (iou)



stroke verb1 trans. , stroak.
[Old English stracian = Middle Low German, Middle Dutch streken (Dutch streeken), Old High German streihhon (German streichen), from Germanic ablaut var. of base of STRIKE verb. Cf. STREAK noun.]
Pass one's hand etc. gently along the surface of (a person's hair, an animal's fur, etc.), esp. as a form of caress; (with adverbial extension) bring into a specified position by this action. OE.
T. Gray She..strok'd down her band. H. Roth David's mother stroked her shoulders soothingly. T. Heggen The Doctor stroked his moustache thoughtfully. Raritan Jacqueline with one slow lean arm began to stroke the dog.
b. fig. Orig., soothe, flatter, (a person); treat indulgently. Now chiefly, reassure (a child etc.) by approval or congratulation; manipulate (a person) by means of flattery, persuasion, etc. Now chiefly US colloq., esp. in political contexts. E16.
Time Carter..stroked the Jerusalem government by promising that the U.S. would never..impose a Middle East settlement. T. Clancy This American had a great deal of money, and was therefore worthy of stroking.
c. Play (a plucked or keyboard instrument) with a light or gentle touch. M20.
Plight (one's troth). rare. LME-L18.
Orig., rub or smear (a thing) with a substance. Later (obsolete exc. Scot. & north.), smear (a thing) over a surface. Now only, brush (a thing) gently over a surface. LME.
P. Barker Audrey was..stroking mascara onto her upper lashes.
Draw (a cutting instrument) along a surface for the purpose of sharpening. arch. L15.
Milk (a cow); esp. draw the last milk from (a cow) by squeezing the teat. Now dial. M16.
Work (stone) to create a fluted surface. M19.
Needlework. Arrange (small gathers) in regular order and close succession by drawing the point of a blunt needle from the top of each gather downwards. L19.
Sport. Hit or kick (a ball) smoothly and deliberately; score (a run etc.) in this manner. M20.
Phrases: stroke a person the wrong way, stroke a person's hair the wrong way fig. ruffle a person's feelings.
strokable adjective suitable for stroking, able to be stroked L20.
stroker noun2 a person who strokes someone or something; spec. (chiefly Hist.) a person who cures diseases by stroking a part of the body: LME.
stroking noun (a) the action of the verb; (b) (in pl.) the last milk drawn from a cow (also called
strippings): LME.