Forms: α. 3–4 stroc, 4–7 strok, 4–5 strook, 5–8 strooke, 6 strocke, 6–7 stroake, 6–8 strock, 7–8 stroak, 9 dial. strauk, 4– stroke. β. Sc. and north. 4–6 strak, 4–8 strake, Sc. 5–9 straik, 6 strack, strek, strayk, pl. strax. [ME. (late 13th c.) strōk, north. strāk, prob. repr. an unrecorded OE. *strác = (M)LG. strêk, Du. streek masc., MHG., mod.G. streich masc.:—OTeut. *straiko-z, f. *straik- ablaut-var. of *strĭk: see STRIKE v.]
1. An act of striking; a blow given or received.
a. A blow with the hand or a weapon (occas. with the paw of an animal, the claws or beak of a bird, etc.) inflicted on or aimed at a living being. Sometimes (now rarely) applied to the thrust of a pointed weapon.
To † smite, strike a stroke: see those verbs. † To come to strokes = to come to blows. † Within one’s stroke: within reach of one’s weapon.
α. 1297. R. Glouc. (Rolis) 4281. Sire wawein him biturnde & an stroc him ȝef, & al þat heued & þe breste al clanliche him to-clef.
a. 1320. Sir Tristr., 2335. Tvelue fete was þe wand Þat vrgan wald wiþ play, His strok may no man stand.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., II. 409. And so þer wordli liif, þat lettiþ sich service, is moche worse þanne a strooke upon þe cheke wiþ an hand.
1471. Caxton, Recuyell (Sommer), 259. They foyned with her speres eygrely, theyr strokes and foynes were grete. Ibid. (1484), Fables of Poge, viii. Fro wordes they came to strokes and cratchyng with naylys.
c. 1530. Ld. Berners, Arth. Lyt. Brit. (1814), 213. But Arthur put his shelde before hym, and the lyons stroke dashte theron so sore, that Arthur was all astonyed with the stroke. Ibid. (a. 1533), Huon, lv. 188. He slewe and bette downe … all that came within his stroke.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., II. vi. 29. Their mightie strokes their haberieons dismayld.
1625. Sir H. Finch, Law (1636), 411. An enditement that one strueke I.S. in one countie, of which stroke hee died in another Countie, is no good enditement.
1696. R. H., Sch. Recreat., 86. If your Adversary offers to answer your stroak, and go to the Parade, then your best way is [etc.].
1741. in Scott. Hist. Rev. (1905), April, 303. The prisoner struck him and blooded him with the strock.
1760–72. H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1792), II. 137. Flying instantly at Harry, he gave him a smart stroke on the left cheek.
1806. Wordsw., Horn of Egremont Castle, 43. And where’er their strokes alighted, There the Saracens were tamed.
1829. Scott, Anne of G., Note A. In such parts of that country [Germany] as retain the old custom of execution by stroke of sword.
1849. G. P. R. James, Woodman, I. iii. 53. He suddenly drew his sword from the sheath, and aimed a rapid and furious stroke at the woodman’s head.
1863. Geo. Eliot, Romola, xxii. [He] remained obstinately silent under all the strokes from the knotted cord.
1889. Baden Powell, Pigsticking, 186. With the jobbing spear the arm should not be raised from the shoulder to deliver the stroke.
β. a. 1300. Cursor M., 12428. Þe maister … Gaf iesu wit hand a strak.
13[?]. Gosp. Nicod., 419. Ane wane of fourty strakes with ȝerde he sal be smeten.
c. 1440. Alphabet of Tales, 79. Saynt Benett strake þis yong monk with a wand … & so for ferd of þis strake of Saynt Benett þis fende … durst nevur after com & feche hym furthe.
1572–3. Reg. Privy Council Scot., II. 205. The said Stevin denyit the stryking of the said Jonet as is libellit, or that he offerit ony straikis to hir.
1607. Sel. Rec. Regality Melrose (S.H.S.), I. 33. Secundlie, gif thair be straikis without blude, ten pundis.
1635. Reg. Privy Council Scot., Ser. II. VI. 5. Johne … came … with ane pycked suord stalffe in his hand and … gave her manie bauch and blae straiks upon the head [etc.].
1818. Hogg, Brownie of Bodsbeck, I. iii. 42. I wheeled just round in a moment, sir, and drew a desperate straik at the foremost [pursuer].
1820. Scott, Monast., xxvi. It was a blithe time in Wight Wallace’s day … when the pock-puddings gat naething here but hard straiks and bloody crowns.
¶ Stroke of grace: Eng. rendering of coup de grâce (COUP sb.3 5). rare.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., II. I. i. The victim having once got his stroke-of-grace.
† b. pl. = ‘Stripes,’ blows as a punishment. Obs.
α. 1388. Wyclif, Luke xii. 48. He that knew not, and dide worthi thingis of strokis, schal be betun with fewe.
1593. Tell-troth’s N. Y. Gift (1876), 5. A lesson learned with stroakes, staies with the scholler.
1699. Temple, Introd. Hist. Eng., Wks. 1720, II. 531. No Person was punished by Bonds, Strokes, or Death, without the Judgment … of the Druids.
β. 1552. Abp. Hamilton, Catech., I. x. (1884), 59. I sall … punis thair wyckidnes with a wand, and thair synnis with strakis.
c. A blow struck at an inanimate object; e.g., with a hammer, ax, etc.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 3687. For no man at the firste stroke Ne may not felle doun an oke.
c. 1400. Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton, 1483), IV. xxx. 78. Withouten strook of hamour ne may none impression be brought in to gold.
1539. Taverner, Erasm. Prov. (1552), 26. With many strokes is an oke ouerthrowen.
1681. Flavel, Meth. Grace, Ep. Ded. 9. A true diamond will endure the smartest stroke of the hammer, but a false one will fly.
1697. Dryden, Æneis, VIII. 561. The Cyclops here their heavy Hammers deal; Loud Strokes, and hissings of tormented Steel Are heard around.
1799. G. Smith, Laboratory, I. 25. Carry with your mallet an even and perpendicular stroke.
1799. Wordsw., Lucy Gray, 26. With many a wanton stroke Her feet disperse the powdery snow.
1833. Jas. Davidson, Brit. & Rom. Rem. Axminster, 82. A stroke of his pickaxe broke an urn which contained a number of Roman coins.
1842. Macaulay, Horatius, vii. But now no stroke of woodman Is heard by Auser’s rill.
1902. ‘Violet Jacob,’ Sheep-Stealers, xii. Rhys … listened to the strokes of the pickaxe among the gooseberry bushes.
β. 1513. Douglas, Æneis, XI. iii. 82. The heich eschis … Down weltit ar with mony granand strakis.
d. In various games: An act of striking the ball; a hit or an attempted hit; in some games (e.g., tennis), a hit that satisfies certain conditions. Also, manner of striking.
α. 1744. J. Love, Cricket, III. 70. The strokes re-echo o’er the spacious ground.
1778. Hoyle, Games, 205. (Tennis) The lowest Odds given is a Bisque…, and is the Liberty of scoring a Stroke whenever the Player, who receives Advantage, chooses.
1806. J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life, iii. § 22. Missing your cue at every stroke.
1879. Encycl. Brit., X. 767/2. (Golf) In Medal playing a ball may, under a penalty of two strokes, be lifted out of a difficulty of any description.
1884. Lillywhite’s Cricket Ann., 104. Cantley has a good stroke off his legs.
1896. W. Park, Jr. Game of Golf, 270. Stroke, any movement of the club which is intended to strike the ball.
1897. Ranjitsinhji, Cricket, 159. It is almost impossible to score off a genuine half-cock stroke. It is a mistake to play the stroke unless forced to do so.
1905. H. Vardon, Compl. Golfer, 251. A player whose handicap was several strokes removed from scratch.
β. 1811. H. MacNeill, Bygane Times, 15. Is this the gate to gowf the ba’, Whan by the straik ye’re sure to fa’?
† e. The mark left by a blow; a bruise, wound, cut. Obs.
14[?]. A. B. C. Poem, 28, in Pol. Rel. & L. Poems, 272. With rede wondis & strokis blo He was dryue fro top to þe too.
1661. J. Childrey, Brit. Baconica, 143. One might see the stroaks of the Axe upon them.
1677. Lond. Gaz., No. 1204/4. Stolen…, a black Gelding six years old, with a large white snip on the top of the Nose,… and had formerly a stroke upon the near Leg behind.
1686. Blome, Gentl. Recr., II. 25/1. For a Bite, or Stroak in the [Horse’s] Eye.
1701. Lond. Gaz., No. 3723/4. His Mane half shorn, has had a Stroke in his right Eye.
† f. Discharge of an engine of war; a shot of a bow or gun; the impact of a missile. Obs.
α. c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 6278. Withouten stroke it mot be take Of trepeget or mangonel.
c. 1440. Gesta Rom., i. 3. Now hath he schote an arowe at the ymage; And for þat he failith of his strook, he makith moch sorowe.
c. 1482. J. Kay, trans. Caoursin’s Siege of Rhodes (1870), P 10. [They] sayd, that they herde neuer strokes of bombardes so grete and so horryble as thylk were.
1544. Betham, Precepts War, II. xlii. K viij b. There is no breste plate, whyche is able to wythstand, and holde owte the stroke of the arrowes.
1665. Manley, Grotius’ Low C. Wars, 313. The Third [governor],… being kill’d with the stroke of a Stone, clearly made an end of his Government.
1678. R. L’Estrange, Seneca’s Mor. (1702), 442. The Stroak of an Arrow convinc’d Alexander, that he was not the Sun of Jupiter, but a Mortal Man.
1695. Sibbald, Autobiog. (1834), 128. When the town was taken by storme my Father was hurt with a strock given him by a footman with a carabin.
1771. Ann. Reg., Nat. Hist., 91/2. The shot entered an inch above his eye, the animal fell under the stroke, and died almost instantly.
β. 1579–80. Reg. Privy Council Scot., III. 264. He wes sumquhat recoverit of his formar hurt ressavit be the strek of the first pistolett.
† g. Point of impact; place hit by a missile.
c. 1450. Mirk’s Festial, 42. Þen anothyr smot aftyr, and hut yn þe same stroke.
1669. Sturmy, Mariner’s Mag., V. xii. 70. Observe how much the last stroke of the Shot is above the Mark.
h. † Shock or forcible impact of a moving body (obs.); impact or incidence of moving particles, light, etc. (now rare).
1534. Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), F viij. With the stroke of metyng, the trumpettour was ouerthrawen with his hors.
1557. Phaër, Æneid, VII. (1558), V ij b. Full like a rocke in seas,… Whom strokes of water strikes,… and beates about.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., I. ii. 5. Many stroaks, which our eyes, eares, and other organs receive from externall bodies.
1660. Stanley, Hist. Philos., XI. Democr., ix. § 8 (1687), 765/1. All Sensation is caused by a touch or streak upon the Organ.
1661. Boyle, Cert. Physiol. Ess. (1669), 184. When the igneous Corpuscles have by their numerous and brisk strokes upon the vessel communicated by its means their agitation to the enclosed powder.
1681–6. J. Scott, Chr. Life (1747), III. 116. Impressions … such, as did as fully satisfy them that they were from God, as the Strokes of the Sun-beams on our Eyes do us that it is Day at Noon.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. vi. 42. The backs of the ridges … meet the direct stroke of the solar rays.
2. Phrases.
† a. Without (any) stroke (of sword): without fighting. Also without fighting a stroke. (To die) without stroke: otherwise than by violence. Obs.
For without striking a stroke, without stroke stricken, see STRIKE v. 32.
α. c. 1400. Maundev. (1839), xxv. 260. Thanne the Cristene men wenten … and hire enemyes enclosed and confounded in Derknesse, with outen ony strok.
c. 1460. Contn. Brut, 491. Many other townes in Normandie gafe þeme ouer with-out stroke or siege. Ibid., 507. At Bedford, on Ashtwesday, wer iij men murthred without strok, by falling doun of a steir.
1584. R. Birrel, Diary (1798), 23. Bot quhen he came, they yat ver vithin fled, sua yat hes Majestie entred and tooke ye toune and castell vithout stroke of suord.
1645. R. Baillie, Lett. & Jrnls. (Bannatyne Club), II. 262. A great many honest burgesses were killed,… many were bursten in the flight, and dyed without stroak.
1670. Milton, Hist. Brit., II. 54. Suetonius writes that Claudius found heer no resistance, and that all was done without stroke: but this seems not probable.
1687. A. Lovell, trans. Thevenot’s Trav., II. 159. This Murteza Basha, without stroke of Sword made himself master of Bassora.
1721. De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 266. We marched away without fighting a stroke.
β. 1533. Bellenden, Livy (S.T.S.), II. 136. Fra þe wache was slane þe remanent war sone opprest and randerit but ony straik.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot. (Rolls), II. 213. Tha tynt the feild but straik of sword or knyfe.
a. 1572. Knox, Hist. Ref., Wks. 1846, I. 88. Stout Oliver was without strack tackin, fleing full manfully.
a. 1670. Spalding, Troub. Chas. I. (Bannatyne Club), I. 154. The lord Aboyne … seeing their collours upon the Brig, takes the flight shamefully but straik of sword or any other kind of vassalage.
† b. Stroke of battle: active warfare. Obs.
1525. Wolsey, in St. Papers Hen. VIII., VI. 403. Putting theym unto the wors, not by stroke of batail … but with consumyng of theym by long tract of tyme.
c. Stroke and strife (altered from earlier strot or sturt and strife): lawless violence.
c. 1510. Lyt. Geste Robin Hood, 181. Or elles thou hast ben a sory housband And leued in stroke and stryfe.
† d. The first stroke: the beginning of a war.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, VI. 687. At the first straik with thaim he had nocht beyne.
1677. Sir R. Southwell, in Essex Papers (Camden), II. 111. I cannot expect anything but ruin the very first stroke of the warr.
e. At one stroke, at a stroke: with a single blow; fig. all at once.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., V. pr. vi. (1868), 178. But he ay dwellynge comiþ byforn and enbraceþ at o strook [L. uno ictu] alle þi mutaciouns.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, II. 60. And at a straik the formast has he slayne.
1556. J. Heywood, Spider & Fly, xci. 102. The maide of the house with her brome: at a strake, Swepth downe those copwebs.
1709. T. Robinson, Vind. Mosaick Syst., 16. Omnipotent Power might have created the whole World at one stroke, by an Imperious Fiat.
1879. Farrar, St. Paul (1883), 173. At one stroke he had lost all his old friends.
1884. Bosanquet, Lotze’s Logic, 236. It is not always possible to prove at one stroke that a proposition T holds good for all quantities, integral and fractional, positive and negative, [etc.].
3. fig. a. With conscious metaphor: An act that causes pain, injury or death; often, an act of divine chastisement or vengeance.
α. 1340. Ayenb., 34. Efter alle þise zorȝuolle poyns of sleuþe him yefþ þe dyeuel þane strok dyadlych.
c. 1412. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 2029. Whan þat the colde stroke of deth My lyfe hath quenched, & me byraft my breth.
1484. Caxton, Fables of Auian, xiii. Werse is the stroke of a tonge than the stroke of a spere.
c. 1520. Skelton, Magnyf., 1882. The Stroke of God, Aduersyte, I hyght.
1611. Beaum. & Fl., King & No K., I. i. Sheele make you shrinke as I did, with a stroke But of her eye Tigranes.
1665. J. North, in Extr. St. Papers rel. Friends, Ser. III. (1912), 234. By which false verdict the Murderer hath Escaped the stroke of Justice hitherto.
1667. Milton, P. L., X. 210. So judg’d he Man,… And th’ instant stroke of Death denounc’t that day Remov’d farr off.
1689. Extracts Rec. Convention Royal Burghs Scot. (1880), IV. 100. By one strock of ane act of parliament … we are outterly ruined in our trade.
1753. Miss Collier, Art Torment., I. i. 37. All the pleasure of Tormenting is lost, as soon as your subject is become insensible of your strokes.
178[?]. Burns, Highland Lassie, vi. Till the mortal stroke shall lay me low.
1858. Rawlinson, trans. Herodotus, II. cxxix. II. 207–8. Mycerinus … was acting as I have described, when the stroke of calamity fell on him.
1860. Sala, Baddington Peerage, I. xviii. 306. Not to be passed over in its portents any more than the first stroke of disease which attacks thrice before it kills.
β. 1560. Rolland, Seven Sages, 76. And thairefter to bide the straik of Law.
1590. R. Bruce, Serm. Sacram., iv. N 8. Therefore knawledge must go before the straik of the conscience. Thy hart can neuer feele that to be euil, quhilk thy mynde knawis not to be euill.
b. A calamitous event; † a ‘blow’ to, upon (a person, institution, etc.).
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 15 April 1686. I looke on this as a greate stroke to the poore Church of England.
a. 1709. J. Lister, Autobiog. (1842), 50. On the Tuesday I laid him [sc. his son] in his grave at Kendall…. I feared this sad stroke would break my wife’s heart, but … she bore it with uncommon fortitude.
1762–71. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), II. 238. The tragic death of his royal protector was a dreadful stroke … to Petitot.
1785. Mary Michel, in A. C. Bower’s Diaries & Corr. (1903), 25. The loss of an only son … must be a very severe stroke upon her.
1852. Mrs. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s C., xxix. Tom’s whole soul was filled with thoughts of eternity; and while he ministered around the lifeless clay, he did not once think that the sudden stroke had left him in hopeless slavery.
† c. A hostile attack; an offensive movement in warfare. Obs.
1698. Fryer, Acc. E. India & P., 337. He safely resides within, invulnerable from Foreign Strokes, and reigns in this his Capital City.
1700. S. L., trans. Fryke’s Voy. E. Ind. 77. Yet were we wholly set upon pursuing the Stroke, and hoped that the night should prove rather more commodious and successful.
1777. Washington, in W. Irving, Life, xcix. (1856), III. 806. A successful stroke on the Highlands.
† d. To have, bear, carry, strike a (great, etc.) stroke: to have an influential or controlling share in an enterprise or action, to have great influence. To have, bear, carry, strike the stroke: to prevail, rule, have authority; to be highest in excellence. To give, strike a good stroke: to contribute largely, go far to effect some result. Obs.
1531. Tindale, Expos. 1–3 S. John (1538), 83. And yf … we can fynde no shyfte, but that ye byshop of Rome … must thus mocke vs, what a stroke thynke ye hath Satan amonge vs? [Cf. ante, Then the deuell hath a greate swynge amonge vs.]
1538. Bale, Thre Lawes, 1514. Such a fellawe was he as of that age had the stroke.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 168. All suche persones … as beare any rewle, stroke, or autoritee in the commonweale.
1549. Latimer, 2nd Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 63. Thys byshoppe was a great man borne, and did beare such a stroke, that he was able to shoulder the Lord Protectour.
1564. Brief Exam., D iiij b. Which … loue, if it beare stroke among vs, we shall be able … to discomfyte the body … of Antichrist.
a. 1569. Kingesmyll, Comf. Afflict. (1585), B iij. Hee knewe that whatsoever befell him, God had a stroke in it.
1600. Holland, Livy, XXIX. xxix. 731. This Mezetulus having gathered a powre of … paisants of the countrey (with whom he carried a great stroke).
1609. F. Sherwood, in Lismore Papers, Ser. II. (1887), I. 134. The advise you wisht me to geiue him … gave a good stroke to perswade him.
1611. Beaum. & Fl., Knt. Burn. Pestle, IV. (1613), I 2. Wife. Let him goe George, a shall not haue any countenance from vs, nor a good word from any i’ th Company, if I may strike stroke in’t.
1611. Bible, Transl. Pref., ¶ 11. The vintage of Abiezer, that strake the stroake: yet the gleaning of grapes of Ephraim was not to be despised.
1612. T. Taylor, Titus ii. 14 (1619), 532. It is verie hard to say, whether nature or religion giveth the stroke to their actions.
1622. in Foster, Eng. Factories Ind. (1908), II. 17. Captaine Fitzharbert opposed the resolutione, but the Admiralls double voice carried the stroke.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav., Ep. Ded. A 3. Opinion strikes a great stroake in the iudgements and affaires of men.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., VI. xii. 338. That the salts of naturall bodies doe carry a powerfull stroake in the tincture and vernish of all things, we shall not deny.
1659. in Burton’s Diary (1828), IV. 444. The Jesuits have too great a stroke amongst them.
1687. Burnet, Contn. Reply to Varillas, 41. They had the main stroak in our Parliaments.
1697. Collier, Ess. Mor. Subj., I. (1709), 246. We may plainly perceive, That the Prejudices of Education have a great Stroak in many of our Reasonings.
1702. Engl. Theophrastus, 248. To stir up seditions and troubles the worst man commonly bears the stroke.
1731. T. Boston, in Morrison, Mem., iv. (1899), 34. I … could never fall into the good graces of those who had the stroke in settling parishes.
† e. To come in the stroke: to be part of one’s task. Obs.
1617. Hieron, Penance for Sin, xx. Wks. 1619, II. 287. I speake not this … by way of censuring … any mans course; but I note this, (it comming in the stroke) according to my Text, to worke care in mine owne heart [etc.].
† 4. Coinage, imprint of coin. Sc. Obs.
1449. Sc. Acts Jas. II. (1814), II. 37/1. Of þe new strak to be maide & the cours þerof and of þe money þat now rynnis.
1493. Sc. Acts Jas. IV., ibid. 233/1. Notwithstanding þe diuersitie of prentis of þe straikis of sundry cunȝeors.
a. 1578. Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.), II. 198. Vpone the thrid day of Julij the lordis … tuik all the quenis siluir weschell and struik siluir quhilk straik was the xxx schilling peice.
1600. Earl Gowrie’s Conspir., A 3. His answere was, that so farre as hee could take leisure to see of them, that they seemed to bee forraine … strokes of coyne.
5. A damaging or destructive discharge (of lightning).
a. 1542. Wyatt, Poems, ‘The lively sparks,’ 10. Muche lyke vnto the gyse Of one Istricken with dynt of lightening blynded with the stroke, erryng here & there.
1730. A. Gordon, trans. Maffei’s Amphith. (1735), 366. The Thunder, which … has broken … two large Pieces of the lowermost Stones;… by the Nature of the Stroke … it appears that the Direction of the Blow came from below upwards, [etc.].
1810. Scott, Lady of L., III. iv. Mingled with shivers from the oak, Rent by the lightning’s recent stroke.
1889. Science, 11 Oct., 257. The attempt to obtain information regarding lightning-strokes … will result in a clearer understanding of the danger from these strokes to unprotected houses.
† b. An electric shock. Obs.
1766. Ann. Reg., Chron., 71. After applying the electrical strokes to several parts of her body, and at length to her mouth, she soon recovered her speech.
1799. Ht. Lee, Canterb. T., III. 95. An electric stroke could hardly have produced a more sudden effect on both his hearers than [etc.].
† c. A shock of earthquake. Obs.
1813. Bakewell, Introd. Geol. (1815), 308. Earthquakes are most frequent in volcanic districts, but the strokes are not the most violent in the immediate vicinity of volcanoes.
6. An attack of disease.
a. An apoplectic or (now more usually) paralytic seizure. Formerly † the stroke of God’s hand.
1599. A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physicke, 25/2. An excellent Cinnamome water for the stroke of Gods hande.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 22 Nov. 1694. The Abp. of Canterbury, who a few days before had a paralytic stroke.
1762–71. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), IV. 11. He was seized with a stroke of apoplexy.
1780. Johnson, Lett. to Mrs. Lucy Porter, 8 April. He has had a stroke, like that of an apoplexy.
1832. S. Warren, Diary Physic., II. ii. 85. Our inestimable friend, Mr. E——, had a sudden stroke of the palsy this afternoon.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xvii. IV. 97. Soon after he had risen from table, an apoplectic stroke deprived him of speech and sensation.
1861. Mrs. H. Wood, East Lynne, III. xviii. Mr. Justice Hare’s illness had turned out to be a stroke of paralysis.
1889. Gretton, Memory’s Harkback, 316. In his later years he had a partial stroke, which drew the muscles of his cheek a little on one side.
1898. J. Hutchinson, in Archives Surg., IX. 382. The popular distinction between a stroke and a fit was well illustrated by a hemiplegic patient who asserted, ‘I never had a fit; I never lost my senses; I only had a stroke.’
1905. People’s Doctor, 48. Apoplexy. This disease goes under quite a variety of names. The popular term is ‘stroke’; doctors speak of cerebral hemorrhage; [etc.].
† b. Falconry. A disease in the eyes of hawks: = pin and web (PIN sb. 11). Obs.
c. 1575. Perf. Bk. Kepinge Sparhawkes (1886), 31. Pyn and Web, or Stroke. Pyn or Web or other dymnes by strokes &c. must be spedely loked unto.
† c. A blight on wheat, honey-dew. Obs.
1750. W. Ellis, Mod. Husb., II. i. 2 (E.D.S.). In the latter part of June,… green wheat is most liable to receive the stroke, as the farmer calls it; that is, the honey-dews.
7. The striking of a clock; the sound produced by each striking of the clapper or hammer upon a bell, or on the striking part of a clock. On or upon the stroke (of a specified hour): on the point of striking.
1436. Sc. Acts Jas. I. (1814), II. 24/1. Þat na man in burghe be fundyn in tauernys … efter the straik of ix houris.
a. 1558. in Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., Var. Coll. IV. 129. Before the howre of ix of the cloke, at which time ther shalbe a bell to be towlde by the officers ther by xxti strokes.
1604. Marston, Malcontent, II. iii. C 4 b. Pict. What houre ist? Celso. Vpon the stroake of twelue.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage (1614), 700. The King hath a Bell, the strokes whereof sound such terror into the heart of the fearefull theefe, that [etc.].
c. 1616. Fletcher, Thierry & Theod., III. i. His houres vpon the stroake.
1816. Gentl. Mag., Sept., 270/1. At Hatherleigh … a bell … announces, by distinct strokes, the number of the day of the month.
1832. Ht. Martineau, Hill & Valley, ix. 137. I used to like its stroke when it brought the work-people flocking from their cottages.
1847. C. Brontë, Jane Eyre, xi. It is on the stroke of twelve now.
1858. Trollope, Dr. Thorne, xxx. He dressed himself hurriedly, for the dinner-bell was almost on the stroke as he entered the house.
1874. Burnand, My Time, xxiii. 211. Straining my ears to catch the very first stroke of the hour.
1897. R. N. Bain, trans. Jókai’s Pretty Michal, xxxii. 251. At the stroke of two she was already in the shop below.
1909. J. R. Harris, Side-Lights N. T. Research, ii. 55. The person who first succeeds in drawing the water after the stroke of midnight will find it turn to gold and silver in his possession.
† 8. A touch on a stringed instrument; manner of playing a musical instrument; hence, a tune, strain. Obs.
1540. Palsgr., Acolastus, III. i. O j. He can no more skille of the stroke of the harpe or lute, than a iay can.
1561. T. Hoby, trans. Castiglione’s Courtyer, I. I ij b. Afterward the musitien chaunging the stroke and his maner of tune [Alexander] pacified himself againe.
1586. W. Webbe, Eng. Poetrie (Arb.), 6. Neither is there anie tune or stroke which may be sung or plaide on instruments, which hath not some poetical ditties framed according to the numbers thereof.
1600. Marston, etc., Jack Drum’s Entert. (1601), A 3. I had the best stroke, the sweetest touch, but now … I am falne from the Fidle.
1689. Ayres, Lyric Poems (1906), 308. (To his Viol) Then to my soft and sweetest strokes I keep.
1721. A. Malcolm, Treat. Mus., i. 18. The Notes of a Violin and all string’d Instruments that are struck with a Bow, whose Notes are made longer or shorter by Strokes of different lengths or Quickness of Motion.
1773. Barrington, in Phil. Trans., LXIII. 261. Several nightingale strokes, or particular passages in the song of that bird.
† b. Hunting. A call played on the horn. Cf. STRAKE sb.4 Obs.
1688. Holme, Armoury, III. 76/2. [Hunting-lesson blown on the Horn] The Stroaks to the Field, Ton-ton-tavern tone ton-tavern [etc.].
9. A pulsation, beat (of the heart, pulse). Cf. 12 c.
1538. Elyot, Dict., Pulsus … is more proprely the poulse or stroke that the arteries or beatyng vaines do make.
1737. Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1756), I. 183. The Blood’s Momentum or Stroke.
1800. Med. Jrnl., IV. 525. Her pulse usually beating from 120 to 130 strokes in the minute.
1843. R. J. Graves, Syst. Clin. Med., xiv. 173. The pulse … changed its character from a short and small to a full soft stroke.
1859. Tennyson, Elaine, 716. Wroth, but all in awe, For twenty strokes of the blood,… Linger’d that other, staring after him.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VI. 390. The impulse communicated to an aneurysmal sac is of course repeated at each stroke of the heart.
10. A movement of beating time; a beat, measure; metrical ictus, rhythm. Now rare or Obs.
1576. G. Baker, trans. Gesner’s Jewell of Health, 198. Distyll first with so softe a fyre, that foure musicall strokes may be made betweene droppe and droppe falling.
1586. W. Webbe, Eng. Poetrie (Arb.), 62. The naturall course of most English verses seemeth to run vppon the olde Iambicke stroake.
1597. Morley, Introd. Mus., 9. Phi. What is a stroke? Ma. It is a successiue motion of the hand, directing the quantitie of euery note & rest in the song, with equall measure…: this they make three folde, more, lesse, and proportionate. The More stroke they call, when the stroke comprehendeth the time of a Briefe. The lesse, when a time of a Semibriefe, and proportionate where it comprehendeth three Semibriefes.
1677. F. North, Philos. Ess. Mus., 33. The due observance of time is gratefull for the same reason that I gave for the formality of a single Tune, because the subsequent strokes are measured by the memory of the former.
1891. J. C. Parsons, Engl. Versif., 20. In iambic movement … the stroke or accent, which usually comes only on the last syllable, may, at times, come equally on the first syllable.
† b. To keep stroke: to keep time. Cf. 13 b. Obs.
16[?]. G. Percy, in Purchas, Pilgrims (1625), IV. 1687. When they were in their dance, they kept stroke with their feet iust one with another.
11. a. In negative context: A minimum amount of work. b. In later use: A large or considerable amount of work, business, trade.
a. 1568. Hist. Jacob & Esau, V. vi. I wrought not a stroke this day but led Isaac.
1791. Bentham, Panopt., 69. Without either punishment, or interest given him in the profits of his labour,… how could you have insured a man’s doing a single stroke of work?
a. 1843. Southey, Comm.-pl. Bk. (1851), IV. 359. This fellow … never would strike a stroke of work afterwards.
1867. W. H. Dixon, New Amer., II. 322. ‘Work!’ said a stout young fellow in Tennessee … ‘thank God, I have never done a stroke of work since I was born.’
b. 1712. Steele, Spect., No. 484, ¶ 4. The best Consolation that I can administer to those who cannot get into that Stroke of Business (as the Phrase is) which they deserve, is [etc.].
1825. Brockett, N. C. Gloss., s.v., A good stroke of business.
1838. Haliburton, Clockm., Ser. II. xvii. 248. They carry on a considerable of a fishery here, and do a great stroke in the timber business.
1841. Hartshorne, Salop. Ant., Gloss., Stroke, an unusual quantity of labor performed in a certain time.
1842. Thackeray, Fitz-Boodle’s Prof., i. A trade doing a stroke of so many hogsheads a week.
1853. C. R. Read, Austral. Gold Fields, 14. A little further on I met the carpenter of the ship I came out from England in, two years before; he told me he was doing a rattling stroke.
1861. Hughes, Tom Brown at Oxf., iv. One of those who do a good stroke of the work of the country without getting much credit for it.
1884. G. Lidgett, in Contemp. Rev., April, 579. The mileage run and the stroke of work performed [by steamers] have been vastly greater than before.
12. A movement like that of striking a blow.
a. A single movement of the legs in walking or running, of the wings in flying, etc.
1618. Baret, Vineyard Horsem., I. 20. Further he must handle his legges neatly,… with an equall largenesse of his stroke carrying an apt proportion according to the slownes or swiftnes of his pace.
a. 1642. Suckling, Goblins, IV. (1646), 39. How she … danc’d a stroak in, and a stroak out, Like a young Fillet [? read Filly] training to a pace.
1704. F. Fuller, Med. Gymn. (1711), 29. Take the Bearings of a Running Horse, that is, measure the Extent of his Stroaks.
1865. A. L. Gordon, Ye Wearie Wayfarer, II. iv. Poems 1912, 14.
| No word in reply his comrade spoke, | |
| Nor waver’d, nor once look’d round, | |
| But I saw him shorten his horse’s stroke | |
| As we splash’d through the marshy ground. |
1869. Spencer, Princ. Psychol., § 91 (1870), I. 216. A gnat’s wings make ten or fifteen thousand strokes per second.
1880. A. H. Swinton, Insect Variety, 175. In the pairing season … this music … is prolonged to ten or eleven strokes of the femora, lasting a quarter of a minute.
b. In swimming, the combined movement of the limbs forming a single impulse of progression; also, any particular manner of effecting this, as the breast-stroke, side-stroke.
c. 1800. W. Hickey, Mem. (1913), I. 158. I observed we were already too deep, asking the gunner whether he could swim, to which he answered:
‘No, Sir, not a stroke.’
1863. Kinglake, Crimea, II. 220. There are however some deeps which would force a man to swim a few strokes.
1902. J. Buchan, Watcher by Threshold, 314. He found deep water, and in two strokes was in the grip of the tide.
c. A single complete movement in either direction of any piece of machinery having a reciprocating motion (e.g., of a piston, piston-rod, etc.); also, the amplitude or length of such a movement.
1731. Beighton, in Phil. Trans., XXXVII. 11. If instead of sixteen Forcers they worked only eight, the Stroke might be five Feet in each Forcer.
1741. in Sixth Rep. Dep. Kpr. Publ. Rec., App. II. 120. A new pump, Engine or forcer for raising water with a perpendicular stroke.
1840. Mechanics’ Mag., XXXIII. 157/1. A popular notion has for a considerable time past prevailed, that a long stroke engine is much superior to a short stroke engine.
1841. Whewell, Mech. Engin., 185. The engine consumed 80 lbs. of coal per hour, working 18 strokes per minute.
1847. J. Bourne, Catech. Steam Eng., 162. The engine should always be made to work full stroke.
1869. C. Knight, Mechanician, 109. The stroke of a slide-valve is the length of the path along which the valve moves. The stroke of a piston is the length of its travel or path.
1902. S. E. White, Blazed Trail, I. ii. The saw leaped back and forth a few strokes more.
13. Rowing. a. A single pull of the oar.
1583. H. Howard, Defensative, L iij b. Barges which are forced by the strength of oares, haue a kinde of gate or swinge when the stroke dooth cease.
1632. J. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Eromena, 40. The Galley-slaves … made her scoure little lesse than her full length betweene one stroake and the other.
1753. Miss Collier, Art Torment., III. 221. You may scream at every stroke of the oar.
1836. Marryat, Midsh. Easy, xiii. So that they might dash on board of her with a few strokes of the oars.
† b. To keep stroke: to keep time in rowing. Cf. 10 b.
1606. Shaks., Ant. & Cl., II. ii. 200. The Owers … to the tune of Flutes kept stroke.
a. 1619. Fotherby, Atheom., II. xii. § 2 (1622), 338. And he, that bending slowly brings his tarrying Oare to breast, His winding Armes keepe stroke with songs, while he the water beates.
1629. Wadsworth, Pilgr., v. 38. I being unable to keepe stroake with the rest, was well beaten.
1652. Hermeticall Banquet, 5. At Table, be sure that your Teeth labour like so many Gally slaves, keeping true stroke with the Hand.
c. Style of rowing, manner of handling the oars, esp. with regard to the length, speed or frequency of the ‘strokes’ (see quot. 1898).
1870. Field Q. Mag., I. 202/2. Close came away at once, and, rowing a long easy stroke, won very easily by four lengths.
1877. Oxf. & Camb. Undergrad. Jrnl., 173/2. A journey to Ditton and back was essayed at a slow stroke.
1890. R. C. Lehmann, Harry Fludyer, 118. To-day we are going to work up our stroke, so as to be able to row forty [strokes to the minute].
1898. Encycl. Sport, II. 298/1. Stroke, (1) the number of dips of the oar in the water within a given time.
d. The oarsman who sits nearest to the stern of the boat, and whose ‘stroke’ sets the time for the other rowers (= stroke-oar, -oarsman, STROKESMAN). Also quasi-adv. in to pull, row stroke.
1825. C. M. Westmacott, Engl. Spy (1907), I. 28. In a water party he was a stroke of the ten oar. [Note. A first rate waterman.]
1841. J. T. J. Hewlett, Peter Priggins, II. xiv. 306. Their talk was principally of boating,… with discussions on the merits of the ‘strokes’ of the different boats.
1845. in Brasenose Ale, 77. Thus spake the prince, who set us all afloat, And pull’d first stroke in the old Brasenose boat.
1848. Thackeray, Van. Fair, xxxiv. He pulls stroke in the Boniface boat.
1868. Field, 4 July, 14/2. Hall’s rowing as stroke was very different to his execution of the past two years.
1898. Encycl. Sport, II. 298/1. (Rowing) Stroke, (2) the oarsman who sits nearest the stern of the boat and sets the work to the men behind him. The side upon which his oar projects is called ‘stroke side’ all the way up the boat.
e. The station occupied in a boat by the stroke-oarsman.
1901. Oxford Mag., 24 April, 291/2. University … with Huntley at stroke.
14. A vigorous attempt to attain some object; a measure, expedient or device adopted for some purpose. Also stroke of policy (or † politics), of business (cf. 11 b).
1699. T. Baker, Refl. Learning, xiv. 166. Isidor’s Collection was the great and bold Stroke, which [etc.].
1732. Arbuthnot, Rules of Diet, in Aliments, etc. 413. The greatest and most important Strokes for the Recovery of the Patient, must be made at the time of the Invasion, or first State of the Disease.
1769. Burke, Observ. Late St. Nat., Wks. 1842, I. 102. He pays … some compliments to Lord Bute and Lord Despenser. But to the latter, this is, I suppose, but a civility to old acquaintance; to the former, a little stroke of politicks.
1822. Galt, Provost, xi. Before the Michaelmas I was … fully prepared to achieve a great stroke of policy for the future government of the town.
1850. Merivale, Rom. Emp., iv. (1865), I. 185. This stroke of policy was not unsuccessful.
1865. Dickens, Mut. Fr., II. iii. It is conceded by all, that that stroke of business on Brewer’s part, in going down to the House that night to see how things looked, was the master-stroke.
1876. M. Arnold, Lit. & Dogma, 112. For us,… Christianity [is] the greatest and happiest stroke ever yet made for human perfection.
b. Stroke of state: trans. Fr. coup d’état (see COUP sb.3 5 a).
1783. Justamond, trans. Raynal’s Hist. Indies, VIII. 115. If we destroy … the nature of any great body, those convulsive motions which are called strokes of state, will disturb the whole nation.
1865. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., XXI. v. (1872), X. 59. Her Son, the spirited King Gustav III., at Stockholm had made what in our day is called a ‘stroke of state.’
1871. Browning, Pr. Hohenst., 1367. He cannot but intend some stroke of state Shall signalize his passage into peace Out of the creaking.
1910. Ld. Rosebery, Chatham, xi. 238. Fortified by this treaty,… the Pelhams executed their stroke of state.
c. In a game: An effective move or combination.
1735. Bertin, Chess, Pref. p. iii. This noble Game abounds with a greater variety of fine strokes, than any other Games which depend upon design only.
1862. ‘Cavendish,’ Whist (1864), 51. You almost preclude him from executing any of the finer strokes of play.
1913. Illustr. Lond. News, 22 Feb., 264/3. P to Kt 5th The winning stroke, as White gains a passed Pawn.
15. A feat, achievement; a signal display of art, genius, wit, etc. Cf. 18 c.
1672. Villiers (Dk. Buckhm.), Rehearsal, III. ii. (Arb.), 75. There’s a smart expression of a passion; O ye Gods! That’s one of my bold strokes, a gad.
1692. Dryden, State Innoc., Apol. Heroic Poetry b 3. The boldest strokes of Poetry, when they are manag’d Artfully, are those which most delight the Reader.
1692. R. L’Estrange, Fables, clii. 138. ’Tis a Stroake of Art to Divert the Reproach, by Emproving a Spitefull Word, or Thing, to a bodies Own Advantage.
1731. Gentl. Mag., I. 84. The statues about St. Paul’s … are strokes of his masterly hand.
1757. Mrs. Griffith, Lett. Henry & Frances (1767), III. 31. Perhaps ’tis this, by a Stroke of Simpathy, that hurries on the Reader at such a Rate.
1760–2. Goldsm., Cit. W., li. It is filled with strokes of wit and satire in every line.
1865. M. Arnold, Ess. Crit., Pref. p. x. I had no notion, I protest, that this exquisite stroke of pleasantry was aimed at me.
1881. Ld. Acton, Lett. to Mary Gladstone (1904), 74. One of the best strokes of wit I can remember in my time.
b. Stroke of luck: an unexpected piece of good fortune.
1853. C. B. Mansfield, Paraguay, etc. (1856), 420. The prisoner captain looked almost as much pleased as his capturer, who jumped for joy at this stroke of good luck.
1882. Pebody, Engl. Journalism, xxiii. 179. The Times, by a stroke of luck … was represented in that war by a man who [etc.].
1885. ‘Mrs. Alexander,’ At Bay, x. That lynching business was a stroke of luck for Deering.
16. A movement of the pen, pencil, graver, etc., in writing, painting, drawing, etc.; a single movement of a brush, chisel, knife, file, etc., over the surface operated on. Phrase, With a stroke of the pen: often said hyperbolically.
1668. Temple, Lett. Wks. 1720, II. 91. Your Excellency with a Stroak of your Pen, has brought to Light the most covered Designs of your Enemies.
1699. E. Ward, Lond. Spy, V. 4. Their Senses were Ravish’d with each Masterly stroak of the skillful Stone-Cutter.
1797. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), XVIII. 626/2. The varnish should be put on very quickly, making great strokes with the pencil or brush.
1804. Revol. Plutarch, II. 305. In acting so, he changed with a stroke of the pen the general aspect of affairs, in such a manner that [etc.].
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 745. Draperies are to be done with broad strokes of the pencil.
1875. Fortnum, Maiolica, 89. It would seem laid on purposely with a coarse brush the strokes of which are very apparent.
1885. ‘Mrs. Alexander,’ At Bay, viii. The money is in Spanish bonds…; it can be handed over to you with the stroke of a pen.
1889. Hasluck, Model Engin. Handybk., 133. The file strokes should not all be made parallel one to another.
1907. J. A. Hodges, Elem. Photogr. (ed. 6), 106. The print should be cut with one stroke of the knife.
† b. Manner of handling the pencil, graver, etc.
1662. Evelyn, Chalcogr., 69. The imitations of the graver … are altogether admirable and inimitable, the stroke and conduct consider’d.
1699. Wanley, in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden), 282. The Print … is so well engraven, and the workman had so good a stroke, that I believe half the workmen in London cannot now do better.
1717. Pope, Ep. to Mr. Jervas, 38. Caracci’s strength, Correggio’s softer line, Paulo’s free stroke, and Titian’s warmth divine. Ibid., 64. Oh, lasting as those Colours may they shine, Free as thy stroke, yet faultless as thy line.
c. Finishing stroke (lit. and fig.): see FINISHING ppl. a.
1695. Plot, in Aubrey, Lett. Eminent Persons (1813), I. 74. I am heartily glad to hear Mr. Cook has given the finishing stroke to your fine chapel.
1800. Asiatic Ann. Reg., Misc. Tracts, 16/2. Major Caillaud and the young Nabob crossed their troops over the Ganges, to put the finishing stroke to the affair.
1854. Surtees, Handley Cr., xxix. (1901), I. 218. On the Monday, he bespoke an audience with Mr. Jorrocks to put the finishing stroke to his arrangements.
1867. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), I. i. 60. Æthelstan added the finishing stroke to the work of his father.
17. A linear mark; a mark traced by the moving point of a pen, pencil, etc.; a component line of a written character (cf. up-stroke, down-stroke); also, a dash (in writing or print).
1567. Maplet, Gr. Forest, 2. [An agate] hauing strokes on eche side like to blew vaines.
1604. E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, V. vii. 347. With the bloud they made a stroake on the dead mans face, from one eare to the other.
1673. Dryden, Marr. à la Mode, II. i. With strokes in ashes Maids their Lovers drew.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, II. 39/2. The Achate is variously coloured…: some have stroakes of blew, some with blood.
1693. J. Edwards, Author. O. & N. Test., 201. The shadow … on the dial … went backward so many lines or stroaks.
1737. Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1757), II. 32. The white Hoof is of a brittle Disposition; and those that have Strokes, or are ribbed as it were, with white, must be worse than the black Sort.
1745. P. Thomas, Jrnl. Anson’s Voy., 243. A fourth Kind of Writing, the Strokes whereof being more joined, and less distinguished one from another, are made with more Ease and Expedition.
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 19. The drawing of strokes by the eye with the black-lead pencil, charcoal, or chalk, will afford the most proper exercise.
1865. Trollope, Belton Est., xxvii. 326. Very careful in the perfection of every letter, and very neat in every stroke.
1885. Sweet, O. E. Texts, 132. The various readings are separated by a stroke, and come in the following order.
b. A stroke above: = ‘a cut above’ (CUT sb. 17). ? nonce-use.
1856. W. Collins, Wreck Golden Mary, ii. Househ. Words, Christm. No. 14/2. She had had her schooling up in London … so it was but nature she should be a stroke above the girls of the place.
c. Bacteriology. A line formed by drawing the point of an infected wire over the surface to be inoculated. Cf. stroke-culture, etc. in 25.
1893. M. Campbell, trans. Migula’s Introd. Pract. Bacteriol., iv. 63. The colonies may confine themselves to the actual inoculating stroke, or they may spread themselves out…, until the whole surface of the nutrient medium is covered right up to the sides of the test-tube.
† 18. Lineament, line of a face or form. Obs.
1635–56. Cowley, Davideis, IV. 526. Not bright Ahin’oam … Had sweeter strokes, Colours more fresh and fair.
1638. Junius, Paint. Ancients, 21. They … content themselves with the Imitation of visible things, following stroke after stroke.
† b. fig. A constituent feature; a characteristic; a trait of character. Obs.
1666. S. Parker, Platonic Philos., 41. In its main strokes it [sc. Plato’s ‘physiology’] accords with the Aristotelean Philosophie.
1710. Felton, Diss. Classics (1718), 49. Give me Leave, my Lord, to … draw out … some of the chief Strokes, some of the principal Lineaments, and fairest Features of a just and beautiful Style.
1729. Law, Serious C., xvi. (1732), 303. He is so very quick sighted that he discovers in almost every body, some Strokes of vanity.
1734. trans. Rollin’s Rom. Hist., VI. (1827), III. 241. Two or three principal strokes of his character.
1780. A. Young, Tour Irel., II. 75. Many strokes in their character are evidently to be ascribed to the extreme oppression under which they live.
c. fig. A felicitous or characteristic expression or thought in literary composition; a ‘touch’ of description, satire, pathos, or the like. Cf. 15.
1666. Dryden, Ann. Mirab., Pref. But when Action or Persons are to be described … how bold, how masterly, are the strokes of Virgil!
1697. C’tess. D’Aunoy’s Trav. (1706), 88. He wrote a Comedy which everybody likes, and the Queen … found therein such moving and delicate Stroaks in it, that she would act a part in it herself.
1706. Prior, Ode to Queen, Pref. I have endeavor’d to imitate all the great Strokes of that Ode.
1725. Cotes, trans. Dupin’s Eccl. Hist. 17th C., I. II. iii. 35. Not to mention many satyrical Strokes which are scatter’d throughout his History.
1779. Jortin, Erasmus, II. 170. One can hardly excuse Erasmus intirely, for having put into the mouth of Folly some strokes, which seem to confound religious Truth with Folly.
1831. Mackintosh, Hist. Eng., II. 16. A few strokes of Comines throw a more clear and agreeable light over our story than the scanty information of our own meagre and unskilful writers.
1876. Trevelyan, Life & Lett. Macaulay, II. xi. 226. Macaulay … thought … nothing whatever of reconstructing a paragraph for the sake of one happy stroke or apt illustration.
† 19. To have a good stroke (at eating): to have a hearty appetite. (Cf. TWIST sb.1 17.) Obs.
1699. Dampier, Voy., II. iv. 71. Neither can any man be entertain’d as a Soldier, that has not a greater stroke than ordinary at eating.
1731–8. Swift, Pol. Conversat., ii. 150. Lady Answ. God bless you, Colonel; you have a good Stroke with you. Col. O Madam; formerly I could eat all, but now I leave nothing.
† 20. A cut, slice (of meat). Obs.
1531. A. Hall, Iliad, IX. 157. Down he layes the spit, Wheron the strokes of flesh were brotcht.
21. Agric. (See quot. 1891.)
1765. Museum Rust., IV. 6. Give the land a stroke with the great harrow, and roll it as before.
1847. Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., VIII. II. 449. When the seed is sown, it should be covered by two strokes of the light seed-harrow.
1891. Malden, Tillage, Gloss, s.v., Each time land is crossed with harrows it is said to have received a stroke or tine.
† 22. = TRANSOM 2. Obs. rare–1.
1684. Sturmy, Mariner’s Mag., VII. xix. (ed. 2), 140. Chuse a convenient place in the Transum or Stroke of the Window.
23. A denomination of dry measure, varying in capacity according to locality: = STRIKE sb. 4.
1532. Test. Ebor. (Surtees), VI. 34. To have one stroke of peese.
1569. Richmond Wills (Surtees), 218. xxti stroke wheate, iiij li.
1681. O. Heywood, Diaries (1881), II. 286. A stroke of shilling [= shelled oats] standing on the table.
1744. MS. Parish Bk. Pannal. Yorks., A strooke of Pottatoes 5 d.
1790. Grose, Prov. Gloss. (ed. 2), Suppl., Stroke, half a bushel.
1814. W. S. Mason, Statist. Acc. Irel., I. 339. The measure, or stroke of potatoes 2 Bushels.
1862. C. C. Robinson, Dial. Leeds, 424. Stroke, a half-bushel, or two pecks; so called from the measure (when upheaped) being stroked off with a thin piece of wood.
24. Geol. = STRIKE sb. 8. rare.
1877. Raymond, Statist. Mines & Mining, 113. The stroke of the slates varies from north 25° west, south 25° east, to north 45° west, south 45° east.
25. attrib. a. Golf, in terms relating to the method of scoring by strokes (sense 1 d) instead of by holes, as stroke-competition, -game, -play; b. Bacteriology (sense 17 c), as stroke-cultivation, -culture, inoculation; c. special combinations, † stroke-bias, an obsolete game resembling ‘prisoners’ base’; † stroke engraving, a line engraving; stroke-haul, an apparatus used for illegal capture of fish, formed of three hooks joined back to back, and weighted with lead; hence stroke haul v., stroke-hauling vbl. sb.; stroke-oar, (a) the oar nearest the stern of a rowing-boat; (b) the rower who handles this oar (= sense 13 d); stroke-oarsman = sense 13 d; stroke-side, the side of a rowing-boat on which the stroke-oarsman sits; stroke-stitch Needlework (see quot.).
1700. J. Brome, Trav. Eng., 264. The Kentish Men have a peculiar Exercise,… ’tis called *Stroke-Biass. [Description follows.]
1904. in H. Vardon, Compl. Golfer (1905), 274. Special Rules for *Stroke Competitions.
1890. W. W. Cheyne, trans. Flügge’s Micro-organisms, 177. *Stroke cultivations.
1893. M. Campbell, trans. Migula’s Introd. Pract. Bacteriol., iv. 62. For the *stroke cultures we use the test-tubes.
1793. Thomson, in Burns’ Wks. (1800), IV. 33. We intend presenting the subscribers with two beautiful *stroke engravings.
1896. Westm. Gaz., 8 April, 5/3. The match … consists of the *stroke game to-day and play by holes to-morrow.
1850. Act 13 & 14 Vict., c. 88 § 40. That it shall not be lawful … to use for the Purpose of taking Fish any Otter, Lyster, Spear, *Strokehaul, Dree Draw, or Gaff.
1912. London Mag., Sept., 97/2. They *stroke-hauled them in couples in the moonlight.
1860. C. Simeon, Stray Notes Fishing, 37. This plan, with a large weighted treble hook, is sometimes adopted with destructive effect by poachers for salmon … it is then called *‘stroke-hauling.’
1893. M. Campbell, trans. Migula’s Introd. Pract. Bacteriol., iv. 62. The *stroke inoculation being completed.
1835. Dickens, Sk. Boz, River. After a great deal of changing and fidgeting, consequent upon the election of a *stroke-oar.
1848. Thackeray, Van. Fair, xi. At College he pulled stroke-oar in the Christchurch boat.
1865. Kingsley, Herew., xx. Winter steered the boat and Gwenoch took the stroke-oar.
1838. J. F. Cooper, Excurs. Italy, I. xvi. 302. The *stroke-oarsman of the boat advised me to pull in under the promontory.
1894. Daily News, 3 July, 8/3. One of the finest stroke oarsmen in England.
1905. Daily Chron., 20 July, 3/1. The old golf was Scotch, and was a match game. The new, English game, is *stroke play, with oneself as one’s hardiest opponent.
1862. Ld. W. Lennox, Recreat. Sportsm., I. 197. The terms in boating are as follows:—… *stroke side, the port, or right side.
1909. Blackw. Mag., May, 613/2. Tell Jerry to get down a new strokeside oar, with a good six-inch blade.
1900. L. F. Day & Mary Buckle, Art in Needlework, ii. (1901), 16. The mere work line—or *‘stroke-stitch,’ not crossed, is a perfectly fair way of getting a delicate effect.
