strip poker
1382
a PRACTICAL JOKE on a third person. People sometimes send strippograms to friends on their birthdays. ➔ compare KISSOGRAM
,strip 'poker n a game of POKER in which players pay their losses by removing articles of clothing
'strip search n [C] a process in which you have to remove your clothes so that your body can be checked, usually for hidden drugs
strip-tease /'stripti:z, ˌstripti:'i:z/ n [C;U] a performance, especially by a woman, in which the performer takes off her or his clothes in a sexually exciting way
strive /straiv/ v strove /strəʊv/, striven /'strɪvən/ [I (for, against, after)] fm/ or lit to struggle hard; make a great effort, especially to gain something: He strove for recognition as an artist. I striving after perfection/against injustice I [+to-v] striving to improve their public image
strobe light /'strəʊb ˌlaɪt/ also strobe n a light which goes on and off very quickly, often used in DISCOS
stro-bo-scope /'strəʊbəskəʊp/ n an instrument that allows one to study and measure movement by giving repeated very short views of the moving object, e.g. by shining a light on and off
strode /strəʊd/ past tense of STRIDE
strog-a-noff /'strɒgənɒf||'strɔ:gənɔ:f/ adj [after n] (of meat) cooked with onions, SOUR CREAM, and usually MUSHROOMS: beef stroganoff with noodles
stroke¹ /strəʊk/ v [T] 1 to pass the hand over gently, especially for pleasure: The cat likes being stroked. I He stroked his beard reflectively. 2 especially AmE to treat very kindly in order to bring about good relations or some desired result: You'll have to stroke her a little if you want the job done on time.
stroke² n 1 [C] a hit, especially with (the edge of) a weapon: He was sentenced to fifty strokes of the whip. I He split the log with one stroke of the axe. I a stroke of lightning 2 [C] an act of stroking: He gave the dog a stroke. 3 [C] an occasion when a blood tube in the brain suddenly bursts or is blocked, which damages the brain and can cause loss of the ability to move some part of the body: He's had a stroke. 4 [C] an act of hitting the ball in sport; SHOT: The batsman played some beautiful strokes. I She won the golf match by two strokes. (=needed to play two fewer strokes than her opponent) ➔ see also GROUND STROKE 5 [C] a line made by a single movement of a pen or brush in writing or painting: She drew in his face with a few strokes. I a brush stroke I (fig.) He signed away all their rights with a stroke of the pen. 6 [C] (a single movement, or set of movements, that is repeated in) a method of swimming or rowing: She can't swim yet but she's made a few strokes with her arms. I Butterfly is his strongest stroke. I They rowed a fast stroke. ➔ see also BACKSTROKE, BREASTSTROKE, SIDESTROKE 7 [S+of] an unexpected piece (of luck): What a stroke of luck you were still here when I got back! 8 [S(of)] a sudden act showing especially the stated quality: It was a stroke of genius (=very clever) to suggest this short cut. I It was an inspired stroke to make them bring their own food. 9 [C] the sound made by a clock in giving the time: She arrived on the stroke of 12. (=at 12 o'clock exactly) I At the third stroke (=on the telephone clock) it will be 10.38 precisely. 10 [C] BrE || slash AmE an OBLIQUE: The serial number is seventeen stroke one. (=17/1) 11 [S(of)] infml a single piece (of work); any work: He just sits there all day and never does a stroke (of work). 12 [C] a rower who sets the speed for others rowing with him or her: He was (the) stroke/rowed stroke in the winning boat. 13 at a stroke with a single firm act; at once: If any politician promises to improve things at a stroke, don't believe him. 14 off one's stroke not performing at one's best ➔ see also HEATSTROKE, SUNSTROKE
stroll /strəʊl/ v [I] to walk a short distance slowly or lazily, especially for pleasure: We strolled in/around the park for an hour or so. I The manageress was furious when the new trainee strolled into work two hours late. —stroll n: Let's go for a stroll.
stroll-er /'strəʊlər/ n 1 a person who strolls or is strolling 2 a) BrE a light PUSHCHAIR that can be folded up b) AmE for PUSHCHAIR
stroll-ing /'strəʊlɪŋ/ adj [A] (of an entertainer) travelling
around the country giving informal performances on the way: strolling players/musicians
strong /strɒŋ||strɔ:ŋ/ adj 1 a) physically powerful; able to use great force, make great effort etc: strong arms I He must be very strong to be able to lift that car. b) having or able to use great power or influence: America is one of the strongest nations in the world. I a strong personality I strong leadership 2 a) (of a thing) not easily broken, spoilt, changed, or destroyed: strong shoes I strong furniture I a strong will | strong beliefs I a strong economy b) (of a person, body etc) not easily becoming ill; healthy; ROBUST: a strong baby I The old lady has a strong constitution/heart. I You need a strong stomach to watch these violent films. (=you should not watch them if you are easily upset) 3 moving with great force: a strong wind/current 4 having a powerful effect on the mind or senses: a strong smell/taste I strong feelings I a strong impression/resemblance 5 having the expected, necessary, or typical qualities to a high degree: strong (=persuasive) evidence I The film has a strong cast. (=has many good and/or famous actors) I a novel with a strong story line I strong suspicions I I told him in the strongest possible terms (=very forcefully) that I disagreed with him. 6 (of a drink, drug etc) having a lot of the material which gives taste, producing effects etc: The tea is too strong. I a strong curry I strong painkilling drugs | Avoid strong drink. (=alcoholic drinks) ➔ compare WEAK 7 showing a high likelihood of success, victory etc: a strong possibility that England will win I Their chances are not very strong. I She's a strong contender for the party leadership. 8 [after n] having the stated number, especially of members: Our club is 50 strong. I a 6000-strong workforce 9 [F+on] a) good at doing: They're very strong on desserts in this restaurant. b) eager and active in dealing with: The customs people are very strong on drug smugglers at this airport. 10 [F] especially BrE infml unacceptable: It's a bit strong to punish them for such a small thing. 11 [no comp.] (of a verb) which does not add a regular ending in the past tense, but may change a vowel: 'Speak' is a strong verb; its past tense is 'spoke'. ➔ compare WEAK 12 (still) going strong active and powerful, especially after a long period or when old: Grandfather's clock is still going strong. 13 the strong, silent type a type of man, often shown in old adventure films, who is very strong physically and does not talk or laugh very much ➔ see also STRENGTH —~ly adv: I strongly recommend that you refuse. I a strongly-built table
strong-arm /'strɒŋɑ:m||'strɔ:ɑ:rm/ adj [A] infml, usually derog using (unnecessary) force: The police had used strongarm methods/tactics to make him admit his guilt. —strongarm [T] The kidnappers strongarmed him into the back of their car.
strong-box /'strɒbɒks||'strɔ:ŋbɑ:ks/ n a strongly-made, lockable usually metal box for keeping valuable things in, such as jewels
'strong force n [the] the strongest of the four FUNDAMENTAL FORCES. It holds together the very small PARTICLES inside the NUCLEUS of an atom.
strong-hold /'strɒŋhəʊld||'strɔ:ŋ-/ n 1 a strongly defended place or position: a guerrilla stronghold 2 [+of] a place where a particular activity or way of life is common or general: The old London clubs are among the last strongholds of male privilege.
strong 'language n [U] euph swearing; curses
strong-'minded adj firm in beliefs, wishes etc; determined: He is very persuasive, and you need to be pretty strong-minded to say 'no' to him. —~ly adv —~ness n [U]
'strong point n a skill, quality etc, which one has a lot of: Spelling isn't her strong point. (=she is not good at it)
'strong room n a room in a bank etc, with a special thick door and walls, where valuable objects can be kept
'strong suit n AmE infml something one is very good at doing: He's writing a play now but detective stories are really his strong suit.
strong-'willed adj having strength of will; determined
stron-ti-um /'strɒntiəm||'strɑ:ntʃiəm, -tiəm/ n [U] a soft silvery metal that is a simple substance (ELEMENT)
strontium 90 /ˌstrɒntiəm 'naɪnti||ˌstrɑ:ntʃiəm-, -tiəm-/ [U] a form of strontium which is given off by atomic explosions and has harmful effects on people and animals