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Stroke: meaning, definitions and examples

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stroke

 

[ strəʊk ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

medical condition

A stroke is a sudden interruption in the blood supply of the brain. Strokes can be caused by a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or the leaking or bursting of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). The lack of blood flow deprives the brain of oxygen and nutrients, leading to brain cell damage or death.

Synonyms

brain attack, cerebrovascular accident

Examples of usage

  • My grandfather had a stroke last year and has been recovering ever since.
  • She was rushed to the hospital after experiencing symptoms of a stroke.
Context #2 | Noun

swimming

In swimming, a stroke refers to the specific way of moving one's arms and legs to propel oneself through the water. There are different strokes used in competitive swimming, such as freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.

Synonyms

swimming style, swimming technique

Examples of usage

  • She is training hard to improve her butterfly stroke for the upcoming competition.
  • The coach emphasized the importance of technique in mastering each swimming stroke.
Context #3 | Verb

action

To stroke something is to move one's hand gently along the surface of it, usually in a comforting or affectionate manner. It can also refer to caressing or petting someone or something.

Synonyms

caress, gentle touch, pet

Examples of usage

  • She stroked the cat's fur softly, calming it down.
  • He gently stroked her hair as she fell asleep.

Translations

Translations of the word "stroke" in other languages:

🇵🇹 golpe

🇮🇳 स्ट्रोक

🇩🇪 Schlag

🇮🇩 pukulan

🇺🇦 удар

🇵🇱 uderzenie

🇯🇵 ストローク

🇫🇷 coup

🇪🇸 golpe

🇹🇷 darbe

🇰🇷 타격

🇸🇦 ضربة

🇨🇿 úder

🇸🇰 úder

🇨🇳 打击

🇸🇮 udarec

🇮🇸 högg

🇰🇿 соққы

🇬🇪 დარტყმა

🇦🇿 zərbə

🇲🇽 golpe

Etymology

The word 'stroke' has various origins depending on its context. In the medical sense, it comes from the Old English 'stracu' meaning a 'stroke, sudden attack.' The swimming term likely derives from the movement resembling a striking action. As a verb, 'stroke' can be traced back to the Old English 'strācian,' meaning 'to rub lightly.' Over time, the word has evolved to encompass a range of meanings related to sudden actions, movements, and touches.

See also: strokes, stroking.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,119, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.