Meaning

• An act of stroking (moving one's hand over a surface).

  "She gave the cat a stroke."

• A blow or hit.

  "a stroke on the chin"

• A single movement with a tool.

• One of a series of beats or movements against a resisting medium, by means of which movement through or upon it is accomplished.

  "the stroke of a bird's wing in flying, or of an oar in rowing"

• A powerful or sudden effort by which something is done, produced, or accomplished; also, something done or accomplished by such an effort.

  "a stroke of genius; a stroke of business; a master stroke of policy"

• A line drawn with a pen or other writing implement, particularly:

• A streak made with a brush.

• The time when a clock strikes.

  "on the stroke of midnight"

• A style, a single movement within a style.

  "butterfly stroke"

• The loss of brain function arising when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted.

• A sudden attack of any disease, especially when fatal; any sudden, severe affliction or calamity.

  "a stroke of apoplexy; the stroke of death"

• The oar nearest the stern of a boat, by which the other oars are guided.

• The rower who is nearest the stern of the boat.

• Backstage influence.

• A point awarded to a player in case of interference or obstruction by the opponent.

• An individual discharge of lightning.

  "A flash of lightning may be made up of several strokes. If they are separated by enough time for the eye to distinguish them, the lightning will appear to flicker."

• The result or effect of a striking; injury or affliction; soreness.

• An addition or amendment to a written composition; a touch.

  "to give some finishing strokes to an essay"

• A throb or beat, as of the heart.

• Power; influence.

• Appetite.

• In transactional analysis, a (generally positive) reaction to a person, fulfilling their needs or desires.