Past tense of stroke; to move one's hand gently over a surface, typically in a caring or affectionate manner. Can also refer to having suffered a stroke (medical condition) or making a single movement in swimming or rowing.
From Old English 'stracian' meaning 'to stroke, rub gently.' Related to 'strike' but with a gentler connotation. The medical sense (brain stroke) developed in the 17th century from the idea of being 'struck' by illness.
The same word describes both a gentle caress and a potentially devastating medical event - showcasing English's complex relationship with metaphor. In swimming, different strokes (freestyle, backstroke) are named after the motion pattern, not the touching sense!
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