stroke

n. blow, whipping; (Medicine) apoplexy, sudden stoppage of blood flow to the brain; method of swimming (i.e. backstroke, etc.); light touch, caress; mark left by a writing implement

v. hit, beat; mark with a short line, cross out; caress, brush lightly

Stroke (or cerebrovascular accident (CVA)) is the clinical designation for a rapidly developing loss of brain function due to an interruption in the blood supply to all or part of the brain. This phenomenon can be caused by thrombosis, embolism, or hemorrhage. In medicine the process of being struck down by a stroke, fit or faint is sometimes called an ictus [cerebri], from the Latin icere ("to strike"), especially prior to the definitive diagnosis being made.
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A stroke is the sudden death of brain cells in a localized area due to inadequate blood flow. [more]Stroke - Community and Resources

Noun
1. (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 require good balance and tempo"; "he left me an almost impossible shot"
(synonym) shot
(hypernym) maneuver, manoeuvre, play
(hyponym) break
(part-meronym) follow-through
(classification) sport, athletics
2. the maximum movement available to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam
(synonym) throw, cam stroke
(hypernym) movement, motion
(hyponym) instroke
3. a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain
(synonym) apoplexy, cerebrovascular accident, CVA
(hypernym) attack
(hyponym) ischemic stroke, ischaemic stroke
(part-meronym) cerebral hemorrhage
4. a light touch
(hypernym) touch, touching
(derivation) fondle
5. a light touch with the hands
(synonym) stroking
(hypernym) touch, touching
(hyponym) caress
(derivation) fondle
6. the oarsman nearest the stern of the shell who sets the pace for the rest of the crew
(hypernym) oarsman, rower
7. a punctuation mark (/) used to separate related items of information
(synonym) solidus, slash, virgule, diagonal, separatrix
(hypernym) punctuation, punctuation mark
8. a mark made by a writing implement (as in cursive writing)
(hypernym) mark, print
(hyponym) downstroke
9. any one of the repeated movements of the limbs and body used for locomotion in swimming or rowing
(hypernym) locomotion, travel
(hyponym) swimming stroke
10. a single complete movement
(hypernym) motion, movement, move, motility
(hyponym) beat
Verb
1. touch lightly and with affection, with brushing motions; "He stroked his long beard"
(synonym) fondle
(hypernym) caress
(hyponym) lick, lap
(derivation) stroking
2. strike a ball with a smooth blow
(hypernym) strike, hit
(derivation) shot
3. row at a particular rate
(hypernym) row
4. treat gingerly or carefully; "You have to stroke the boss"
(hypernym) flatter, blandish

(imp.)
Struck.
  

(v. t.)
A gentle, caressing touch or movement upon something; a stroking.
  

(v. t.)
A mark or dash in writing or printing; a line; the touch of a pen or pencil; as, an up stroke; a firm stroke.
  

(v. t.)
A powerful or sudden effort by which something is done, produced, or accomplished; also, something done or accomplished by such an effort; as, a stroke of genius; a stroke of business; a master stroke of policy.
  

(v. t.)
A sudden attack of disease; especially, a fatal attack; a severe disaster; any affliction or calamity, especially a sudden one; as, a stroke of apoplexy; the stroke of death.
  

(v. t.)
A throb or beat, as of the heart.
  

(v. t.)
Appetite.
  

(v. t.)
Hence, by extension, an addition or amandment to a written composition; a touch; as, to give some finishing strokes to an essay.
  

(v. t.)
One of a series of beats or movements against a resisting medium, by means of which movement through or upon it is accomplished; as, the stroke of a bird's wing in flying, or an oar in rowing, of a skater, swimmer, etc.
  

(v. t.)
Power; influence.
  

(v. t.)
The act of striking; a blow; a hit; a knock; esp., a violent or hostile attack made with the arm or hand, or with an instrument or weapon.
  

(v. t.)
The movement, in either direction, of the piston plunger, piston rod, crosshead, etc., as of a steam engine or a pump, in which these parts have a reciprocating motion; as, the forward stroke of a piston; also, the entire distance passed through, as by a piston, in such a movement; as, the piston is at half stroke.
  

(v. t.)
The oar nearest the stern of a boat, by which the other oars are guided; -- called also stroke oar.
  

(v. t.)
The rate of succession of stroke; as, a quick stroke.
  

(v. t.)
The result of effect of a striking; injury or affliction; soreness.
  

(v. t.)
The rower who pulls the stroke oar; the strokesman.
  

(v. t.)
The striking of the clock to tell the hour.
  

(v. t.)
To give a finely fluted surface to.
  

(v. t.)
To make smooth by rubbing.
  

(v. t.)
To rib gently in one direction; especially, to pass the hand gently over by way of expressing kindness or tenderness; to caress; to soothe.
  

(v. t.)
To row the stroke oar of; as, to stroke a boat.
  

(v. t.)
To strike.