n. A sweeping movement of a sustained object; the moving of something held or supported through a limited course; in mech., one of a series of alternating continuous movements of something back and forth over or through the same line: as, the strokes of an oar; a stroke of a pen in writing; the strokes of a file, a saw, a piston-rod, or a pump-handle; the length of stroke of a pendulum.n. In rowing, specifically— The manner or style of moving the oars or making strokes; the handling of the oars: as, to set the stroke for the race; the stroke was very rapid or exhausting.n. The guiding-stroke: as, to pull stroke in a race.n. The rower who sets the stroke; the stroke-oar or strokesman.n. A line or mark impressed by or as if by a sweeping movement; hence, a part of an impression of any kind appearing as if so made: as, the hair-strokes, curved strokes, or up-and-down strokes of a letter; fine or coarse strokes in an engraving. See cut under type.n. A throb; a pulsation; a beat.n. In musical instruments with a keyboard, the range of motion of a key.n. A striking of one body or mass upon another; a sudden impact of an object moved or hurled through space; a blow or concussion, especially one administered or effected by design or in some definite manner: as, a stroke of the fist or of a sword; the strokes of a hammer; the stroke of a bat, a cue, or a mallet against a ball (in various games).n. A sudden or special effect produced upon an object as if by a striking movement; a result or consequence of the action of some rapidly working or efficient agency or cause: as, a stroke of lightning; a stroke of paralysis (for which the word stroke is often used absolutely, both colloquially and by physicians): the stroke of fate or of death: used in the Bible especially of a divine chastisement or judgment.n. A sound of striking; a resonant concussion; a giving out of sounds by striking: as, the strokes of a bell or a hammer; the clock is on (that is, on the point of giving out) the stroke of twelve.n. An effective movement, action, or expression; an energetic touch, effort, or exertion; a piece or course of activity: as, a good stroke of business; he will not do a stroke of work; a bold stroke for liberty.n. A trait; a feature; a characteristic.n. A feat; a thing successfully done; a coup.n. Capacity for doing anything; effective ability; skill in action or manipulation.n. Moving or controlling power; influence; sway; ascendancy; standing; importance.To act as stroke or strokesman to; handle the stroke-oar for or of.To pass the hands or an instrument over (something) lightly or with little pressure; rub, or rub down, with a gentle movement in a single direction: an action often performed for soothing or caressing a person or an animal, also for smoothing or polishing an object, etc., and sometimes as a curative process.Hence, figuratively, to soothe; flatter; pacify; encourage.To affect in some way by a rubbing action.In masonry, to work the face of (a stone) in such a manner as to produce a sort of fluted surface.n. An act of stroking; a stroking caress.n. An obsolete form of the preterit of strike.n. In golf, any movement of the ball caused by the player, except as provided for in the rule, or any downward movement of the club made with the intention of striking the ball.n. In function-theory, a directed sect in an assigned plane. Two strokes are equal when they are of equal lengths and drawn along parallel lines in the same sense.