Reading Theme:
Stroke: Meanings, Examples & Usage Guide (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：a brain attack (stroke)
stroke
/stroʊk/
n.
A sudden, serious illness that happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or is blocked, affecting brain function.
a brain attack
➕
/ə breɪn əˈtæk/
n.
A medical condition where blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, causing brain cells to die.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Proto-Germanic *strak- 'to strike', Old English 'strācian'.
💡 Mnemonic
A single action: fate's stroke, brush stroke, swim stroke.
📖 Example
The doctor looked at the brain scan and confirmed it was a stroke that caused my grandfather's sudden weakness.
The doctor looked at the brain scan and confirmed it was a stroke that caused my grandfather's sudden weakness.
🔗 Collocations
suffer a stroke – to experience a stroke
have a stroke – to be affected by a stroke
ischemic stroke – a type of stroke caused by a blocked blood vessel
🔄 Synonyms
brain attack (n.) – A common term for stroke used in public health campaigns.
cerebrovascular accident (n.) – The medical term for stroke, abbreviated as CVA.
cerebral infarction (n.) – A type of stroke caused by lack of blood flow to brain tissue.
🌱 Derivatives
post-stroke (adj.) – relating to the period after a stroke occurs.
📖 Cultural Story
In the 16th century, doctors called sudden paralysis 'stroke of God's hand', later shortened to 'stroke' for a brain event.
Meaning 2：a single brush mark (stroke)
stroke
/stroʊk/
n.
A single movement of a pen, brush, or finger when writing or drawing, and the mark it leaves.
a single brush mark
➕
/ə ˈsɪŋɡəl brʌʃ mɑːrk/
n.
The line or mark left by a single movement of a writing or drawing tool.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
When learning calligraphy, the teacher emphasized the importance of every single brush stroke.
When learning calligraphy, the teacher emphasized the importance of every single brush stroke.
🔗 Collocations
brush stroke – a mark made with a brush
pen stroke – a mark made with a pen
stroke of calligraphy – a single line in the art of beautiful writing
Meaning 3：a swimming arm movement (stroke)
stroke
/stroʊk/
n.
A particular style or method of moving your arms through the water when swimming.
a swimming arm movement
➕
/ə ˈswɪmɪŋ ɑːm ˈmuːvmənt/
n.
A specific way of moving the arms through water to propel oneself while swimming.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
My swimming coach corrected my freestyle stroke to make it more efficient and faster.
My swimming coach corrected my freestyle stroke to make it more efficient and faster.
🔗 Collocations
freestyle stroke – the front crawl swimming technique
breaststroke – a swimming style with simultaneous arm and leg movements
backstroke – a swimming style performed on the back
🔄 Synonyms
swim style (n.) – A particular method of swimming.
swimming technique (n.) – The specific way a swimmer moves through water.
arm pull (n.) – The action of pulling water with the arms during a stroke.
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser