stroke

The sudden loss of brain function most commonly called a stroke is also known by several other names: apoplexy, cerebrovascular accident, cerebral accident, and cerebral infarction. Strokes can be caused by a cerebral hemorrhage, and that term is sometimes used to refer to a type of stroke. Synonyms for cerebral hemorrhage include encephalorrhagia and hematencephalon.

The word stroke is also used in other medical conditions, including heatstroke and sunstroke.

The word stroke has several different senses.

movement

As a noun, stroke can refer to a movement or motion, such as of a pen, brush, or similar implement, or the (often repeated) motion of a machine part.

hand movement

Stroke commonly refers to a light movement of the hand with soft pressure. Synonyms for this sense include pet and caress. Like this sense of stroke, these can be used as either verbs or nouns.

strike, blow

In the sense of a strong hit with something like a hammer or fist, synonyms of stroke include strike, blow, and hit. These can also be used as both verbs and nouns.

sports

In swimming, stroke refers to the swimming style, such as backstroke, butterfly, and freestyle. In rowing, a stroke is a pull on the oars. In golf, a stroke is an instance of hitting the ball, or at least the tally of such a hit, as in one-stroke penalty. In the context of other sports, stroke is used more generally to refer to a motion, often one involving contact with a ball.

other senses

In stroke of genius and masterstroke, stroke can mean something like act, feat, or touch. In stroke of luck, it means something like a sudden happening or occurrence, likened to a stroke of lightning.