stroke

Noun

• a single complete movement

• any one of the repeated movements of the limbs and body used for locomotion in swimming or rowing

• a mark made on a surface by a pen, pencil, or paintbrush
  • she applied the paint in careful strokes
    

• a punctuation mark (/) used to separate related items of information

• anything that happens suddenly or by chance without an apparent cause
  • winning the lottery was a happy accident
    
  • the pregnancy was a stroke of bad luck
    
  • it was due to an accident or fortuity
    

• the oarsman nearest the stern of the shell who sets the pace for the rest of the crew

• (golf) the unit of scoring in golf is the act of hitting the ball with a club
  • Nicklaus won by three strokes
    

• a light touch with the hands

• a light touch

• a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain

• the maximum movement available to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam

• (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
  • it took two strokes to get out of the bunker
    
  • a good shot requires good balance and tempo
    
  • he left me an almost impossible shot
    

Verb

• treat gingerly or carefully
  • You have to stroke the boss
    

• row at a particular rate

• strike a ball with a smooth blow

• touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions
  • He stroked his long beard
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  solidus , slash , virgule , diagonal , separatrix , accident , fortuity , chance event , stroking , apoplexy , cerebrovascular accident , CVA , throw , cam stroke , shot