Topic: OTHER SPORTS
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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Origin: | Probably from an unrecorded Old English strac |
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stroke1 S3
[countable]
[countable]1 if someone has a stroke, an artery (=tube carrying blood) in their brain suddenly bursts or becomes blocked, so that they may die or be unable to use some muscles : 
She died following a massive stroke.a stroke patient
illness
MIShe died following a massive stroke.a stroke patient2
swimming/rowing
a) DSS one of a set of movements in swimming or rowing in which you move your arms or the oar forward and then back : She swam with strong steady strokes.
She swam with strong steady strokes.b) DSSDSO a style of swimming or rowing : the breast stroke
the breast stroke3 the action of hitting the ball in games such as tennis, golf, and cricket : a backhand stroke
sport
DSa backhand stroke4
pen/brush
a) AV a single movement of a pen or brush when you are writing or painting : A few strokes of her pen brought out his features clearly.
A few strokes of her pen brought out his features clearly.b) AV a line made by a pen or brush : the thick downward strokes of the characters
the thick downward strokes of the characters5 with a single sudden action : At one stroke the country lost two outstanding leaders.
at a/one stroke
At one stroke the country lost two outstanding leaders.6 at exactly seven o'clock etc : She arrived home on the stroke of midnight. The only goal of the match came on the stroke of half-time.
on the stroke of seven/nine etc
She arrived home on the stroke of midnight.The only goal of the match came on the stroke of half-time.7 something lucky that happens to you unexpectedly : In a stroke of luck, a suitable organ donor became available.
stroke of luck/fortune
In a stroke of luck, a suitable organ donor became available.8 a very good idea about what to do to solve a problem : It was a stroke of genius to film the movie in Toronto.
stroke of genius/inspiration etc
It was a stroke of genius to film the movie in Toronto.9 an action of hitting someone with something such as a whip or thin stick : He cried out at each stroke of the whip.
hit
He cried out at each stroke of the whip.10 a gentle movement of your hand over something :
a movement of your hand
11 if someone in authority does something with a stroke of the pen, they sign an official document to make a decision with important and serious results : He had the power to order troops home with a stroke of his pen.
with/at a stroke of the pen
He had the power to order troops home with a stroke of his pen.14 a single sound made by a clock giving the hours, or by a bell, gong etc
clock/bell
15 to make someone stop giving all their attention to what they are doing : Seeing Frank watching me put me off my stroke.
put somebody off their stroke
British English informalSeeing Frank watching me put me off my stroke.16 used when you are saying a number written with the mark (/) in it [= slash]: The serial number is seventeen stroke one. (=17/1)
in numbers
British EnglishHMNThe serial number is seventeen stroke one. (=17/1)
