n.

1. (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand;
   shot
   
   • it took two strokes to get out of the bunker
   • a good shot require good balance and tempo
   • he left me an almost impossible shot
2. the maximum movement available to a pivoted or reciprocating piece by a cam;
   throw, cam stroke
3. a sudden loss of consciousness resulting when the rupture or occlusion of a blood vessel leads to oxygen lack in the brain;
   apoplexy, cerebrovascular accident, CVA
4. a light touch
5. a light touch with the hands;
   stroking
6. the oarsman nearest the stern of the shell who sets the pace for the rest of the crew
7. a punctuation mark (/) used to separate related items of information;
   solidus, slash, virgule, diagonal, separatrix
8. a mark made by a writing implement (as in cursive writing)
9. any one of the repeated movements of the limbs and body used for locomotion in swimming or rowing
10. a single complete movement

v.

1. touch lightly and with affection, with brushing motions;
   fondle
   
   • He stroked his long beard
2. strike a ball with a smooth blow
3. row at a particular rate
4. treat gingerly or carefully
   
   • You have to stroke the boss