stroke

Dictionary definition · stroke

(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"
the maximum movement available to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam
a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain
a light touch
a light touch with the hands
(golf) the unit of scoring in golf is the act of hitting the ball with a club"Nicklaus won by three strokes"
the oarsman nearest the stern of the shell who sets the pace for the rest of the crew
anything that happens suddenly or by chance without an apparent cause"winning the lottery was a happy accident"

touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions"He stroked his long beard"
strike a ball with a smooth blow
row at a particular rate
treat gingerly or carefully"You have to stroke the boss"

Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).