streakn.1
/striːk/, U.S. /strik/ a. A line, mark, stroke; esp. one used as a sign or character in writing or as a unit or degree in measurement. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > marking > a mark > [noun] > line
streakc1000
linec1475
score1681
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > body of vessel > [noun] > planking > each continuous line of planking
rising1405
strake1419
streak1611
side strake1873
α.
β. c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 479/1 Strek, or poynt be-twyx ij. clausys yn a boke (S.W. poyntinge of ij. clauses), liminiscus.c1460 J. Metham Wks. 89 Yef in the same lyne be suche strykys descende and in the myddys be cutte or deuyded with other lynes or strekes.1545 in Archaeologia 43 237 iiij copys of ymagerye worke with strekes of golds.1594 T. Blundeville Exercises i. xxvii. f. 30 Minutes are marked with one streeke ouer the head, seconds with two streekes, thirds with three streekes.a1637 B. Jonson Tale of Tub iv. (Sc. Int.) 41 in Wks. (1640) III Cle. Zure, you can gage 'hun. Med. To a streake, or lesse: I know his d'ameters, and circumference. View more context for this quotation1650 J. Bulwer Anthropometamorphosis xxii. 238 Men and women use to cut three streaks on their body.1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. i. 7 View them [the wings of the butterfly] in the Microscope, and you may see the very streaks of the Coelestial pencil that drew them.1735 W. Pardon Dyche's New Gen. Eng. Dict. Streak, a Line or Mark made to put Things in order by, &c.c1000 Ælfric Homilies II. 200 An strica oððe an stæf [L. iota unum aut unus apex] ðære ealdan æ ne bið forgæged oðþæt hi ealle gefyllede beon.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 249 Esdras..fonde up newe manere titles and strikes [L. apices litterarum] to write among þe lettres.
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §12. 24 & endith in the nexte strik of the plate.
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §12. 24 Techyng by swych strikes the howres of planetes by ordre as thei sitten in the heuene.
c1460 [see β. ]. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 58 There is a stryke above the hed of au, by cause the accent of the worde is there.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3024 The shede þurghe þe shyre here shone as þe lilly, Streght as a strike, straght þurgh the myddes.
1598 W. Phillip tr. Descr. Voy. E. Indies 11 We found that our Compasses helde two Strikes to farre Northwarde.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 178 Vpon this Exchequer board is laid a cloth..rewed with strikes distant one from another a foote.
1611 R. Peake tr. S. Serlio 4th Bk. Archit. f. 34v The strickes of the Columnes, which wee call Chanels or hollowings, shall be 24. in number.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > cutting > [noun] > a cut or incision
garse?c1225
chinea1387
slit1398
incisionc1400
slivingc1400
raising?a1425
scotchc1450
racec1500
tranchec1500
kerf?1523
hack1555
slash1580
hew1596
raze1596
incutting1598
slisha1616
scar1653
lancementa1655
slap1688
slip1688
nick1692
streak1725
sneck1768
snick1775
rut1785
sliver1806
overcut1874
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > [noun] > blow struck with an object or instrument > with a sharp instrument
chop1362
weffea1400
slash1576
slashing1596
cuta1616
slap1688
streak1725
1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Pears Give them [sc. the pears] a streak upon the Head with the point of a Knife.
2.
a. A thin irregular line of a different colour or substance from that of the material or surface of which it forms a part.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > variegation > stripiness > [noun] > streakiness > streak
rewc1300
strind?1523
streak1577
lace1613
bandeleta1645
stria1673
garle1677
interstriation1849
striation1849
roe1850
swipe1869
α.
β. 1577 J. Grange Golden Aphroditis sig. Hivv And teares with streakes doth paynte Their lether cheekes.a1642 J. Suckling Poems 39 in Fragmenta Aurea (1646) For streaks of red were mingled there, Such as are on a Katherne Pear.1666 G. Harvey Morbus Anglicus xxi. 50 A high coloured Urin with a number of small streeks of fat, swimming a top in the form of a Cobweb.1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 879 But say, what mean those colourd streaks in Heavn [sc. a rainbow] ..? View more context for this quotation1718 M. Prior Solomon on Vanity i, in Poems Several Occasions (new ed.) 400 While the fantastic Tulip strives to break In two-fold Beauty, and a parted Streak.1785 W. Cowper Task vi. 241 Not a flow'r But shows some touch, in freckle, streak, or stain, Of his unrivall'd pencil.1796 W. Withering Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 3) III. 613 Petals..purple, with 3 or 4 darker streaks.1845 G. Budd On Dis. Liver 220 Streaks of a black substance were observed in the matter which was vomited.1845–7 H. W. Longfellow Evangeline ii. iv. 172 Then there appeared and spread faint streaks of gray o'er her forehead.1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. xxvii. 381 We observe blue streaks, from a few inches to several feet in length, upon the walls of the same crevasse.1876 O. C. Stone in Jrnl. Royal Geogr. Soc. 46 57 They paint the face with streaks by means of a rose-coloured lime.1890 Hardwicke's Sci.-gossip 26 265/2 The appearance of Jupiter is very different from that of Mars. On his surface we see grey..streaks or belts.1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VIII. 595 Papules rarely arise, but there are often red scaly streaks on the face.1909 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. (at cited word) Bacon with a streak of lean and a streak of fat.1585 J. Higgins tr. Junius Nomenclator 414/2 Marble hauing white specks or stricks in it.
b. A line of colour, less firm and regular than a stripe, occurring as a distinctive mark on the coat of an animal, the plumage of a bird, the body or wings of an insect. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > animal body > markings or colourings > [noun] > band or stripe > streak
streak1567
α.
β. 1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper i. 74 Too much of the Leopard..in our spots, and streaks, with sinfull customes, and habits.1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant i. 237 This Ass had a black List down the back, and the rest of its Body was all begirt with white and Tawny streaks.1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 126 The better Brood [of bees]..Are mark'd with Royal streaks of shining hue. View more context for this quotation1815 J. F. Stephens Shaw's Gen. Zool. IX. i. 29 There is a short streak at the angles of the mouth, beneath the eye, sometimes whitish, sometimes yellow.1882–4 Yarrell's Brit. Birds (ed. 4) III. 561 The black loral streak..is assumed the second year.1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest f. 70 [This aspis] is of white colour,..beset with black spots or strikes.
1626 Maldon (Essex) Documents (Bundle 208, No. 9) A tall darkeish graye gelding,..haveing a white stricke on one side.
c. In the names of moths, etc.
ΚΠ
?1703 J. Petiver Gazophylacii II. 18 Papilio minor fuscus, duplici linea inferne præditus, The brown double Streak.
1775 M. Harris Eng. Lepidoptera 45 Phalæna... Streak.
1815 E. J. Burrow Elements Conchol. 206 Patella Mammillaris. Black Hair Streak Limpet.
1832 J. Rennie Conspectus Butterflies & Moths Brit. 15.
1872 J. G. Wood Insects at Home 461 The Moth which is appropriately termed the Streak (Chesias spartiata).
d. Mineralogy. The line of coloured powder produced by scratching a mineral or fossil, or the mark made by rubbing it on a harder surface.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > [noun] > powder produced by scratching mineral or fossil
streak1794
the world > the earth > earth sciences > geology > mineralogy > [noun] > streak
streak1794
1794 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) I. 26 External characters. These are colour, shape, lustre,..colour of streak &c.
1794 R. Kirwan Elements Mineral. (ed. 2) I. 183 Its streak somewhat glossy.
1805 T. Weaver tr. A. G. Werner Treat. Fossils 190 Solid fossils..when scraped..yield a powder, presenting the same, or a different, colour from that of the fossil; and also the same or a more or less different lustre. This is called the streak.
1849 J. Nicol Man. Mineral. 487 Kobellite... Colour blackish lead-grey to steel-grey; streak black.
1888 Crookes Mitchell's Pract. Assaying (ed. 6) 239 Cinnabar has both a red colour and a red streak.
e. Biology etc. A linear mark, stria. Also, a narrow tract in a tissue.primitive streak: see primitive streak n. at primitive n. and adj. Compounds 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > physical aspects or shapes > marks > [noun] > linear mark
lineationc1550
streak1837
1837 P. Keith Bot. Lexicon 34 If the streak of the parenchyma is to be regarded as a good evidence. But this streak is not discernible in all stems.
1856 J. S. Henslow Dict. Bot. Streak, a straight line formed by a vein, by colour, by indentation, &c.
1856 J. S. Henslow Dict. Bot. Stria (a groove or furrow), a streak.
1859 R. H. Semple tr. P. Bretonneau et al. Mem. Diphtheria 20 We often see a long, narrow streak, of a dark red colour, which extends into the pharynx.
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VII. 716 The degeneration may be more intense in certain streaks; as in the posterior root-zones, or in Goll's tracts.
f. Glass-making. (See quot. 1807.)
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > glass and glass-like materials > [noun] > glass > marks or imperfections in
thread1593
streak1807
seed1821
stripe1823
bull's-eye1832
stria1832
tear1832
bullion1834
wreath1839
sand-hole1867
bullion-point1881
pontil mark1923
oil spot1962
saliva1969
1807 T. Thomson Syst. Chem. (ed. 3) II. 512 Streaks. These are waved lines, often visible in glass, which interrupt distinct vision.
1832 G. R. Porter Treat. Manuf. Porcelain & Glass 197 Large plates,..to be perfect, require to be without streak or bubble.
g. Bacteriology. A light scratch made with the bacteria-covered point of a needle on the surface of the mass to be infected. Cf. streak culture n. at Compounds 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > laboratory analysis > material > [noun] > line or scratch
streak1892
stroke1893
1892 G. M. Sternberg Man. Bacteriol. i. viii. 75 We commonly make a streak upon the surface of cooked potato or solidified blood serum in studying the development of various bacteria on these culture media.
1893 W. R. Dawson tr. Schenk Man. Bacteriol. 57.
1939 A. J. Salle Fund. Princ. Bacteriol. ix. 133 The last streaks should thin out the culture sufficiently to give isolated colonies.
1969 Sirockin & Cullimore Practical Microbiol. ii. 17 It will be observed that away from the initial streak, the growth is less dense and discrete colonies are present.
h. Hairdressing. A strand or strands of hair fashionably tinted, esp. in a light colour. Cf. highlight n. 1b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the hair > styles of hair > [noun] > coloured > part of the hair that is coloured
highlight1890
streak1949
lights1956
lowlights1972
1949 Queen 21 Dec. 39 Light streaks are again fashionable. These can be tinted to match an evening dress—the colour can be washed out next day.
1956 Ashley & Stevenson Hair Design & Control xi. 127 When introducing blonde streaks, or tipping, it assists to segregate the streak or section of hair concerned by means of a piece of cloth or Cellophane.
1966 J. Stevens Cox Illustr. Dict. Hairdressing & Wigmaking 144/1 Streaks, light strands of hair deliberately contrived to enhance the appearance.
1979 R. Rendell Make Death love Me v. 40 She and Pam argued as to whether it was possible to put blonde streaks in one's hair at home.
3.
a. A faint line of light (esp. of the dawn) diversifying the darkness. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > naturally occurring light > [noun] > light from the sky > a light or bright patch in the sky
glodec1400
glade1558
streak1597
under-bright1824
storm-light1843
1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet ii. ii. 2 The gray ey'd morne smiles on the frowning night, Checkring the Easterne clouds with streakes of light. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iii. iii. 5 The West yet glimmers with some streakes of Day. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis ix, in tr. Virgil Wks. 478 And see the scatter'd Streaks of dawning day.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art I. 450 When we look at a candle..with our eyes almost closed, streaks of light appear to dart upwards and downwards.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. iii. vi. 190 Darkness..with here and there some streak of faint lurid light.
1881 S. R. Macphail Relig. House Pluscardyn xii. 114 The grey streaks of Reformation dawn speedily forced themselves upon public attention.
1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay v. 78 The first faint streaks of daylight were stealing across the eastern sky.
b. A flash of lightning, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > naturally occurring light > [noun] > lightning > bead or forked lightning > flash of
laitc900
slaughta1300
levinc1300
fire-slaughta1400
flaughta1400
thunderboltc1440
fudder1513
fire-flaughta1522
flag of firea1522
bolt1535
strokea1542
lightning bolta1560
lightning1560
fire-bolt?1562
fulgur1563
fulmen1563
thunder-thump1563
light-bolt1582
fire-flash1586
blaze1590
flake1590
clap1591
blastc1665
glade1744
streak1781
thunder-ball1820
leader stroke1934
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > bad weather > thunder and lightning > [noun] > lightning > flash of
laitc900
flakec1400
fire-flaughta1522
flag of firea1522
lightning1560
fire-flash1586
blaze1590
fulguration1614
fulgurity1623
flaughta1724
glade1744
streak1781
1781 W. Cowper Heroism 18 While through the stygian veil that blots the day, In dazzling streaks, the vivid lightnings play.
1840 T. Carlyle Burns in Crit. & Misc. Ess. ( ed. 2) I. 352 Streaks of hell-fire quivering madly.
1847 Illustr. London News 10 July 19/3 She saw a streak of lightning shoot in an oblique direction.
1863 W. E. Aytoun Execution Montrose in Lays Sc. Cavaliers xiii And the jagged streak of the levin-bolt Lit up the gloomy town.
c. slang. streak of lightning, ? a glass of gin (cf. lightning n. 2). like a streak, like streaks: with the swiftness of lightning; also quick as a streak and transferred.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swiftly [phrase] > very swiftly
as swift (also quick, fleet) as thought?c1225
like lightning1567
(as) quick as lightning1580
like wildfire1699
like stour1787
(as) quick as a wink1825
like smoke1832
quick as a streak1839
like sixty1848
(as) quick as thought1871
at a great lick1898
like a bat out of hell1921
like the clappers1948
like a bomb1954
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > distilled drink > gin > [noun] > a drink of
flash of lightning1789
spencer1804
streak of lightning1839
gin1922
1839 Knickerbocker 13 298 I see him yesterday afternoon..starting off like a streak, to go to Norridgewock.
1849 C. Lanman Lett. Alleghany Mts. xi. 89 The water wheeled my head round to the hole, and in I went quick as a streak.
1859 C. Mackay Life & Liberty Amer. I. 169 ‘Ginsling,’ ‘brandy-smash’, ‘a streak of lightning’, [etc.].
1887 M. E. Wilkins Humble Romance 376 He went past me like a streak when I was coming up the road.
1901 Daily Chron. 26 Sept. 6/2 Workman was running like a ‘streak,’ to use the local phrase.
1901 Scribner's Mag. 29 501/1 We worked like streaks.
1920 C. Sandburg Smoke & Steel 138 Maybe I will light out like a streak of wind.
d. slang (originally U.S.). A rapid move; (a journey undertaken at) a fast rate. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > [noun] > a swift course
reseOE
careerc1534
whirry1611
whirla1657
with a run1834
rip1855
streaka1861
scoot1864
a1861 T. Winthrop John Brent (1862) xxii. 243 She's got the old man to take care of and follow off on his next streak.
1865 A. D. Whitney Gayworthys 141 She's going a good streak, ain't she?
1875 J. G. Holland Sevenoaks iv. 60 We'll wopse 'im up in some blankits, an' make a clean streak for the woods.
1909 R. A. Wason Happy Hawkins 280 She was in the habit of estimatin' just how little nourishment it would take to run her to the next feed, gettin' it into her in the shortest possible time, an' then makin' a streak for it.
1960 20th Cent. Dec. 556 His streak to stardom.
e. to talk a streak, to talk fast or constantly; to talk a blue streak: see blue streak n. (b) at blue adj. and n. Compounds 1d.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > loquacity or talkativeness > be talkative [verb (intransitive)] > talk excessively or chatter
chavel?c1225
babblea1250
chattera1250
clacka1250
janglea1300
ganglec1300
clapc1315
mumblec1350
blabberc1375
carp1377
tatterc1380
garre1382
rattlec1400
clatter1401
chimec1405
gabc1405
pattera1450
smattera1450
languetc1450
pratec1460
chat1483
jabber1499
clittera1529
cackle1530
prattle1532
blatter1533
blab1535
to run on pattens1546
tattle1547
prittle-prattlea1555
trattlea1555
tittle-tattle1556
quiddlea1566
brabble1570
clicket1570
twattle1573
gabble1574
prittle1583
to like to hear oneself speak, talk1597
to word it1612
deblaterate1623
tongue1624
twitter1630
snatter1647
oversay1656
whiffle1706
to gallop away1711
splutter1728
gob1770
gibble-gabble1775
palaver1781
to talk (etc.) nineteen to the dozen1785
gammon1789
witter1808
yabble1808
yaff1808
mag1810
chelp1820
tongue-pad1825
yatter1825
potter1826
chipper1829
jaw-jaw1831
buzz1832
to shoot off one's mouth1864
yawp1872
blate1878
chin1884
yap1888
spiel1894
to talk (also lie, swear, etc.) a blue streak1895
to run off at the mouth1908
chattermag1909
clatfart1913
to talk a streak1915
to run one's mouth1916
natter1942
ear-bash1944
rabbit1950
yack1950
yacker1961
to eat parrot head (also bottom)1965
yacket1969
to twat on1996
1915 J. London Jacket v. 37 He sleeps most of the watch, and we can talk a streak.
1968 T. Wolfe Electric Kool-aid Acid Test xxvii. 373 Robertson's talking a streak. It's a grand speech.
4.
a. A long irregular narrow strip of land, water, etc.; a line of colour representing a distant object in a landscape. the silver streak: the English Channel; see silver n. and adj. Compounds 2 below.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > condition of being long in relation to breadth > [noun] > long narrow object (varied general uses)
straina1529
trait1561
thread1593
stream1597
wire1601
streak1726
1726 J. Dyer Grongar Hill in New Misc. 89 See on the Summit's southern Side..How close and small the Hedges lie What Streaks of Meadows cross the Eye!
1818 J. Keats Let. 20 July (1895) 173 The first glance was a streak of waters deep in the Bases of large black Mountains.
1841 R. Browning Pippa Passes i, in Bells & Pomegranates No. I 4/2 Ah, the clear morning! I can see St. Mark's: That black streak is the belfry.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Œnone (rev. ed.) in Poems (new ed.) I. 121 Far-up the solitary morning smote The streaks of virgin snow.
1865 W. G. Palgrave Narr. Journey through Arabia II. 128 Though separated from it by a streak of desert.
1870 W. E. Gladstone in Edinb. Rev. Oct. 588 Happy England!..happy..in this, that the wise dispensation of Providence has cut her off, by that streak of silver sea,..partly from the dangers, absolutely from the temptations which attend upon the local neighbourhood of the Continental nations.
1872 H. I. Jenkinson Guide Eng. Lake District 251 The white streak of water running down the face of the mountain is Sour Milk Gill.
1883 W. R. Morfill Slavonic Lit. i. 6 There is also a thin streak of Little Russian population in the kingdom of Hungary, north of the Carpathians.
1907 J. London Before Adam viii When we reached the edge of the forest he was no more than a streak in the distance.
b. colloquial (originally Australian). A tall, thin person.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily height > tallness > [noun] > and thinness > person
lungis1572
gangrel1582
slangrel1592
maypole1600
slangam1611
mackerel-back1674
spider-catcher1699
gilly-gaupus?1719
tangle1778
beanpole1798
windlestraw1818
lankyc1863
narrowback1921
leptosome1931
string-bean1936
streak1941
1941 S. J. Baker Pop. Dict. Austral. Slang 73 Streak, a tall, lean person.
1947 K. Tennant Lost Haven iii. 57 Thank goodness he hadn't told that long, gabbling streak about Cherry.
1959 I. Opie & P. Opie Lore & Lang. Schoolchildren ix. 169 There is a fusion of terms between those for the thin and lanky lad and those for the overgrown... Epithets include:..streak or streaker, Tower of London, walking barge pole, [etc.].
1966 Listener 3 Mar. 317/1 That long streak of misery in a blue shirt.
5.
a. The horizontal course of a stratum of coal (cf. stretch n., strike n.1 8).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > mineral deposits > [noun] > stratum or bed
delf1601
measure1665
bonny1671
streak1672
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > structural features > sedimentary formation > [noun] > stratum > position or direction of strata
streak1672
stretch1799
strike1829
stroke1877
the world > the earth > minerals > mineral deposits > [noun] > stratum or bed > of coal > horizontal course
streak1672
stretch1799
1672 G. Sinclair Hydrostaticks 273 The Coal..hath its three principal dimensions,..Longitude, Latitude, and Profundity... The Longitude is nothing else but what is termed by the Coal-hewers, the Streek.
1686 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Staffs. iii. 129 According to the course of the row or streek of the coal.
b. A stratum or vein (of metal ore).
ΚΠ
1789 J. Williams Nat. Hist. Mineral Kingdom I. 334 The streeks or flat veins [of ore].
1789 J. Williams Nat. Hist. Mineral Kingdom I. 339 By the word streek they mean stretch, or a vein between the strata which stretches or spreads in a horizontal position.
1872 M. S. De Vere Americanisms 171 He hopes..to strike it very rich, as soon as he comes to the pay-streak, that is, the lode or vein which is to repay him for all his labors.
1904 S. E. White Blazed Trail Stories xii Here a pocket, there a streak, yon a clear ten feet of low-grade ore.
6.
a. An intermixture (of some contrasting or unexpected quality, esp. in a person or his character); an inherited strain. a streak of red: a strain of American (‘Red’) Indian blood.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > biological processes > genetic activity > heredity or hereditary descent > [noun] > inherited quality or constitution > unexpected or contrasting
strain1605
streak1647
1647 A. Cowley Wisdom in Mistress in Poems (1905) 86 With your grave Rules from musty Morals brought: Through which some streaks too of Divinity ran.
1763 Ann. Reg. 1762 Characters 32/2 Broad streaks of folly now and then appear through all the grave wisdom..of those mighty statesmen.
1856 H. B. Stowe Dred I. ix. 121 Just act, now, as if you'd got a streak of something in you.
1865 G. Grote Plato II. xxiii. 158 There is..a streak of eccentricity in his character.
1885 W. D. Howells Rise Silas Lapham xxii. 400 He always did have that close streak in him.
1889 Spectator 28 Dec. 914/1 The deep and unscrupulous craft which lay in streaks through all Cavour's great character.
1890 J. Aitchison Signa Christi i. 23 The streak of immorality would have run through the whole history.
1908 W. Churchill Mr. Crewe's Career vii. 84 I can't understand Victoria. She really has influence with these country people... Sometimes I think Victoria has a common streak in her.
1913 Play Pictorial No. 134. 82 A woman even suspected of a ‘streak of red’ is scarcely within the pale.
b. A temporary run (of luck). In (on) a losing (or winning) streak, (experiencing) a series of losses (or wins). Hence, a series (of games, etc.) of a specified kind.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > [noun] > good fortune > course or spell of
run1782
streak1843
purple patch1912
the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [noun] > misfortune or ill-luck > a spell of bad luck
run1673
streak1843
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > games of chance > [noun] > sequence of wins or losses
box hand1793
run1823
streak1843
trot1911
1843 Knickerbocker 21 303 I had ‘struck a streak of bad luck’.
1865 ‘M. Twain’ in Harte & ‘Twain’ Sk. Sixties (1926) 205 There never was a bad James in the Sunday-school books that had such a streak of luck as this sinful Jim.
1869 B. Harte Luck of Roaring Camp 31 We've had a streak of bad luck since we left Poker Flat.
1882 Poker; how to play it 94 The player in this seat should not come in..under a pair of court cards, unless he happens to be in a streak of good luck.
1900 A. Upward Ebenezer Lobb 114 He said he found luck did come in these queer streaks.
1912 C. Mathewson Pitching in Pinch xi. 233 But what's a new hat against a losing streak or a batting slump?
1950 Daily Ardmoreite (Ardmore, Okla.) 30 Apr. d. 6/2 Last year's edition of the Indians set one of the hottest paces in the league before folding with a long losing streak.
1963 A. Baron Lowlife xi. 107 The old song inside my head, don't be mad, don't walk out of a winning streak.
1967 Boston Globe 5 Apr. 51/5 It is also fair enough to figure the 76ers will end the Celtics' streak of eight straight National Basketball Assn. titles.
1968 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 3 Feb. 35/6 Toronto Marlboros snapped Montreal Junior Canadiens' unbeaten streak at 10 games.
1968 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 5 Feb. 17/2 Ed Giacomin's shutout goaltending..ended Montreal's National Hockey League winning streak.
1972 ‘H. Carmichael’ Naked to Grave xvi. 183 Mrs Davey won quite a lot of money... She said something to him about Mrs Davey's winning streak.
1973 G. Moffat Deviant Death ix. 125 The police were on a losing streak and they knew it. The questions were just form.
1976 New Yorker 15 Nov. 162/1 ‘We're on a winning streak. We're on a hot roll,’ one city official said happily last summer, during the triumphal series of events that began with Operation Sail and extended through other local Bicentennial celebrations.
1976 Cumberland News 3 Dec. Gilsland's Station Hotel team, playing in the Irthing Valley Sunday League, are still in a winning streak.
1980 Times 19 Feb. 11/5 Their winning streak includes the Boat Race record.
7. Any of various virus diseases of plants which cause discoloured stripes to appear on their leaves; = streak disease n. at Compounds 2 below.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > disease or injury > [noun] > type of disease > viral diseases
rosette disease1891
mosaic disease1894
mosaic1900
bunchy top1919
spotted wilt1919
streak disease1923
streak1930
streak virus1930
kromnek disease1932
wound-tumour disease1945
exocortis1948
1930 Discovery June 196/1 Other important virus diseases of plants include..streak of maize,..and many others.
1936 Phytopathology 26 285 The writer has repeatedly observed a disease of tobacco in the field that is characterized by a necrosis of, or along, the veins of the leaf... The term ‘tobacco streak’ is..proposed as perhaps the simplest and most suggestive for this malady.
1939 N.Z. Jrnl. Sci. & Technol. A. 20 365 In New Zealand, pea-streak has not been observed other than at Palmerston North.
1952 E. Ramsden tr. E. Gram & H. Weber Plant Dis. iii. 387/2 Heavy dressings of stable manure make the symptoms of tomato streak worse.
1963 L. Bos Symptoms Virus Dis. in Plants 39 The term ‘streak’, such as in ‘cocksfoot streak’ or ‘pea streak’, is confusive and insufficient. The name does not indicate whether the streak is chlorotic or yellow, such as in ‘cocksfoot streak’, or is necrotic, such as in ‘pea streak’.
1977 J. Kranz et al. Dis., Pests & Weeds in Trop. Crops 21 Maize streak has not been reported from Europe or the Americas.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
streak-like adj.
ΚΠ
1876 Clin. Soc. Trans. 9 87 Small white streak-like spots.
C2.
streak camera n. a camera which uses the principles of streak photography; also, an electron-optical analogue of this allowing the resolution of events of the order of a picosecond duration and used esp. in high-speed spectroscopy (see quots. 1973, 1977).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > instruments for observing > [noun] > light or radiation
iriscope1841
spectroscope1861
photoscope1872
melanoscope1876
schistoscope1876
radioscope1896
spinthariscope1903
scintilloscope1904
streak camera1962
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > photography > camera > [noun] > general types of
box camera1828
daguerreotype1839
view camera1851
pistolgraph1859
pinhole camera1861
panoramic camera1862
pantoscopic camera1865
pistolograph1866
pantoscope1879
detective camera1881
filmograph1881
photographometera1884
photochronograph1887
snap-shooter1890
stand camera1890
tele-objective camera1891
film camera1893
magazine camera1893
panoram1893
telephoto1894
mutograph1897
tele-camera1899
telephote1903
press camera1912
reflex1922
candid camera1929
minicam1935
single-lens reflex1936
plate camera1937
magic eye1938
subminiature1947
miniature1952
all-sky camera1955
microfilmer1959
stereo-camera1959
streak camera1962
gallery camera1964
SLR1964
TLR1965
spy-camera1968
pinhole1976
multi-mode1981
digicam1989
point-and-shoot1991
1962 Sci. Amer. May 102/2 For this purpose we use a streak camera.
1973 Sci. Amer. June 60/2 In the streak camera, which has an electronic circuit fast enough to measure picosecond events, light from a slit is focused onto a cathode where electrons are released and accelerated towards a phosphorus substance, which emits light. A voltage increasing with time..streaks the electrons across the phosphor so that electrons released at earlier times appear at a different position on the phosphor than electrons released later.
1977 Jrnl. Royal Soc. Arts 125 772/2 Direct linear measurement of pulse durations by electronoptical streak-cameras, in which the time-into-space transformation is brought about by deflecting an electronoptical slit image across the output phosphor of an image-tube.
streak culture n. a bacterial culture made by drawing the point of an infected needle or the like over the surface of a solid culture medium.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > laboratory analysis > material > [noun] > culture or medium
culture1880
blood culture1881
cultivation1881
culture medium1883
pure culture1883
agar1885
broth1885
subculture1885
tube-culture1886
bouillon1887
stab-culture1889
streak culture1892
blood agar1893
microculture1893
shake culture1894
streak plate1895
broth culture1897
slant1899
plating1900
stock culture1903
touch preparation1908
tissue culture1912
plaque1924
slope1925
agar-agar1929
isolate1931
MacConkey1938
auxanogram1949
lawn1951
monolayer1952
replica plate1952
1892 G. M. Sternberg Man. Bacteriol. i. viii. 75 Koch made ‘streak cultures’ by drawing the point of a platinum needle, charged with bacteria, over the surface of a gelatin or agar plate.
1893 W. R. Dawson tr. Schenk Man. Bacteriol. 60 Blood serum..is principally adapted for surface or streak cultures (Strichculturen).
1926 A. Bulleid Text-bk. Bacteriol. vii. 62 An examination of the culture tube with the naked eye will reveal the presence of ‘colonies’ on or in the medium, according to whether the culture was made on the surface (streak culture) or into the medium (stab or shake culture).
streak disease n. = sense 7 above.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > disease or injury > [noun] > type of disease > viral diseases
rosette disease1891
mosaic disease1894
mosaic1900
bunchy top1919
spotted wilt1919
streak disease1923
streak1930
streak virus1930
kromnek disease1932
wound-tumour disease1945
exocortis1948
1923 W. F. Bewley Dis. Glasshouse Plants vi. 132 The organism from the tomato can cause a number of ‘stripe’ or ‘streak’ diseases of other plants.
1925 Rep. Proc. Imperial Bot. Conf. 132 (heading) Streak disease, an infectious chlorosis of sugar-cane.
1925 Rep. Proc. Imperial Bot. Conf. 133 Streak disease in maize has been known in Natal for many years.
1938 Jrnl. Agric. Res. 56 747 A virus disease of peas.., manifested by a streaking of the stems and leaves and a spotting of the pods, was observed under greenhouse conditions..in the fall and winter of 1934. The disease..resembles the streak disease described by Linford, in 1929, as occurring in pea fields throughout the United States.
1970 H. Liebscher & F. Koehler tr. G. Fröhlich & W. Rodewald Pests & Dis. Trop. Crops 240 Leaves [of sugar cane] infected with streak disease exhibit light~coloured, short and long streaks along the veins.
streak fallowing n. (see quot. 1677).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > [noun] > ribbing
streak fallowing1677
ribbing1762
slob-furrowing1787
rib-ploughing1794
rib-furrowing1805
1677 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Oxford-shire 243 There is a sort of tillage..which they call streak-fallowing; the manner is, to plough one furrow and leave one.
streak-flowered adj. Botany striate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > appearance of plant > plant defined by colour or marking > [adjective] > having particular type marking or colouring
streaked1600
marbled1629
muscadine1646
agated1665
silver-cupped1688
red-top1705
tessellated1723
lineate1777
fancy1793
red-tipped1800
areolated1802
white-lipped1813
variegated1818
pennaceous1819
streak-flowered1822
limbate1826
unbroken1829
sanguine-heart1840
rivulose1843
pencilled1846
areolate1847
notate1857
sigillate1858
discolor1859
discolorous1860
fumose1866
fumous1866
tricolour1866
unnetted1869
1822 S. Clarke Hortus Anglicus II. 186 Sisyrinchium Striatum. Streak flowered Sisyrinchium.
streak lightning n. forked lightning.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > naturally occurring light > [noun] > lightning > bead or forked lightning
chain lightning1825
beaded lightning1889
bead lightning1899
streak lightning1916
1916 Chambers's Jrnl. Aug. 560/1 It was streak lightning that was observed.
streak photograph n.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > photography > a photograph > [noun] > by method of photographing
melainotype1856
pistolgram1860
shot1867
snapshot1890
snap1894
telephotograph1894
Kodak1895
kite-photograph1897
close-up1913
vortograph1917
trick shot1924
Photomaton1927
rayograph1933
filter shot1937
flash1945
streak photograph1950
satellite picture1954
telephoto1960
digital photograph1962
xograph1974
digital photo1986
1950 Jrnl. Appl. Physics 21 448/2 (caption) Streak photograph illustrating the motion of the platform of the instrument shock testing machine.
1980 Sci. Amer. May 102/2 The course of growth over time also appears to be continuous, as can be seen in time-lapse motion pictures, multiple-exposure photographs and streak photographs. (A streak photograph is made with a camera in which the lens is left open and the film moves at a constant speed.)
streak photography n. a form of photography in which film is automatically and rapidly moved past the open shutter of a camera, allowing a one-dimensional record of high-speed events to be made which can be reconstituted optically.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > photography > [noun] > types or methods generally
microphotography1857
pistolgraphy1860
portrait photography1864
pistolography1866
photochronography1887
snap-work1889
gallery-practice1891
photoreproduction1892
telephotography1892
Kodakry1893
fuzzyism1894
mugging1899
action photography1905
press photography1910
trick photography1913
Kodachrome1915
panchromatism1919
photo reporting1935
photojournalism1938
photo-reportage1939
strobe1949
streak photography1950
satellite photography1954
digital photography1972
time-lapse1975
1950 Jrnl. Appl. Physics 21 445/1 Methods of streak photography are easy to perform and can often be done with ordinary laboratory equipment.
1952 G. A. Jones High Speed Photogr. ix. 181 Streak photography is mainly of value in the case of luminous objects.
streak plate n. (a) Bacteriology (a vessel containing) a streak culture; (b) Mineralogy a small tablet of unglazed porcelain on which minerals may be rubbed to ascertain the colour of the streak (sense 2d).
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > earth sciences > geology > mineralogy > [noun] > apparatus
mineral dresser1876
Jolly1882
meldometer1885
streak plate1895
the world > life > biology > laboratory analysis > material > [noun] > culture or medium
culture1880
blood culture1881
cultivation1881
culture medium1883
pure culture1883
agar1885
broth1885
subculture1885
tube-culture1886
bouillon1887
stab-culture1889
streak culture1892
blood agar1893
microculture1893
shake culture1894
streak plate1895
broth culture1897
slant1899
plating1900
stock culture1903
touch preparation1908
tissue culture1912
plaque1924
slope1925
agar-agar1929
isolate1931
MacConkey1938
auxanogram1949
lawn1951
monolayer1952
replica plate1952
1895 Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci. Suppl. 83/1 ‘Streak-plates’ are made on gelatine and agar, after the medium has been poured in the plates and become solidified, by drawing an infected needle across them in four or five parallel courses.
1898 Brush & Penfield Man. Determ. Mineral. (ed. 15) v. 228 The streak of a mineral..may be quickly determined by rubbing it on a piece of white, unglazed porcelain... Pieces of unglazed porcelain, called streak plates, are made especially for this purpose.
1964 J. Sinkankas Mineral. for Amateurs viii. 202 Hematite crystals appear quite black, but when rubbed across a porcelain streak plate, the characteristic deep red trace shows the true color.
1966 McGraw-Hill Encycl. Sci. & Technol. (rev. ed.) III. 616/2 Streak plates are incubated in a closed vessel in which the air is replaced by an inert oxygen-free gas.
streak powder n. (see quot. 1857, cf. 2d).
ΚΠ
1857 J. D. Dana Man. Mineral. (1862) 56 The color of a surface that has been rubbed or scratched..is called the streak, and the powder abraded, the streak-powder.
streak stitch n. (see quot. 1882).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric manufactured in specific way > [noun] > consisting of loops or looped stitches > lace > loops or stitches
purl1564
jours1865
punto a maglia1865
whole stitch1870
fibre-stitch1882
hollie stitch1882
star1882
streak stitch1882
Venetian stitch1882
leadwork1900
Kat stitch1919
1882 S. F. A. Caulfeild & B. C. Saward Dict. Needlework 464 In hand-made laces the veins of leaves or flowers are made with an open line, that is sometimes designated Streak Stitch.
streak vein n. ? = sense 5b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > mineral deposits > [noun] > vein > vein of ore
riba1500
lode1602
run1747
ore streak1755
streak vein1789
lead1814
filon1817
ore vein1830
ore-channel1864
chamber1865
range1866
ore band1874
1789 J. Williams Nat. Hist. Mineral Kingdom I. 404 In Derbyshire..great attention is paid to all the streek veins.
streak virus n. a virus causing a streak disease in plants.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > disease or injury > [noun] > type of disease > viral diseases
rosette disease1891
mosaic disease1894
mosaic1900
bunchy top1919
spotted wilt1919
streak disease1923
streak1930
streak virus1930
kromnek disease1932
wound-tumour disease1945
exocortis1948
1930 Ann. Appl. Biol. XVII. 623 Our maize streak virus was taken from a naturally streaked maize plant.
1948 Phytopathology 38 421 To determine the incidence of the streak virus in wild and crop plants, collections were made in areas near infected tobacco fields.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
streakn.2
/striːk/, U.S. /strik/ slang (originally U.S.).
An act of running naked in a public place; = streaking n.2 4. Also attributive. Cf. streek v. 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > nakedness or state of being unclothed > [noun] > running naked in public place > act of
streak1974
streak-in1974
1974 Newsweek 4 Feb. 63/3 A student who participated with 125 others in a co-educational streak has been suspended from school.
1974 Daily Tel. 11 Mar. 16 High spirits may account for some streaks, and sheer frustration or a desire to insult society for others.
1974 Newsweek 18 Mar. 42/3 Any number of other streak-watchers didn't react at all.
1980 Times 5 Jan. 3/5 [He] ran down Dean Street, Soho, on New Year's Eve, wearing only shoes while taking part in a ‘streak’ for charity.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
streakv.1
/striːk/, U.S. /strik/ Obsolete exc. dialect.† 3. To polish or make smooth by rubbing; to iron (clothes). Obsolete.† 4. ? To sweep; to clean by sweeping, rubbing, or the like. Obsolete.† 5. To rub or smear (a surface) with (some soft or liquid substance). Obsolete.† 6. ? To spread, lay evenly. Obsolete.† 7. To pass (one's hand) over a surface. Obsolete.† 8. intransitive. To rub softly or make strokes with an implement upon (a surface). Obsolete.
1. transitive. To stroke.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > stroking > stroke [verb (transitive)]
strokec897
strikec1000
wipe1362
streakc1440
to stroke over1822
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 479/2 Strekyn, as menn do cattys, or hors or howndys, palmito.
a1866 W. Anderson Rhymes (1867) 61 Streek my hair.
2. To make level, flat, or even; spec. to level (corn, etc.) to the rim of a measure by passing a piece of straight wood over it. Cf. straik v., strike v.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > make flat or level [verb (transitive)] > corn, etc., with an instrument
strick14..
strike14..
streakc1440
straik1579
strickle1885
stroke1887
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 479/2 Strekyn or make pleyne, complano.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 479/2 St(r)ekyn, or streke mesure, as buschellys and oþer lyke, hostio.
1829 J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words (new ed.) Streek, to measure corn exactly.
1829 J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words (new ed.) Streeked-measure, exact measure—in opposition to heaped measure.
1841 C. H. Hartshorne Salopia Antiqua Gloss. Streke, to strike with a streckle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > make smooth [verb (transitive)] > by rubbing
streak1567
lime1609
repumicate1623
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing clothes and textile articles > wash clothes [verb (transitive)] > press or iron
set1530
press1555
pote1600
poke1606
smooth1617
iron?1670
goffer1706
steel1746
goose1808
streak1823
flat-iron1865
fuller1880
1567 T. Drant in tr. Horace Arte of Poetrie Ded. sig. *iij The verie Crounes and Scepters of best Monarks, and princes had bene rustie, wembde, and warpde with obliuion, hadd not they with the goodly eloquence of greate clarkes, and Poettes ben streked and filed.
1823 E. Moor Suffolk Words 402 Streek, to iron clothes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > brushing or sweeping > clean by brushing or sweeping [verb (transitive)]
swopec1000
sweepa1300
brusha1475
streak1492
soop?a1500
to brush upa1600
besom1791
broom1838
to brush down1839
1492 Churchwardens' Accts. St. Mary, Oxford (Wood MS D.3) f. 261 Item for streking of the church 4 times, xvi d... Item for streyking the roffe of the church, xii d.
1498 in E. Hobhouse Church-wardens' Accts. (1890) 66 Item for strekyng the wyndows and wallys, iiiid.
1516 in E. Hobhouse Church-wardens' Accts. (1890) 73 Item ffor strekyng off ye chercheerd, iiiid.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > coating or covering with a layer > coat or cover with a layer [verb (transitive)] > smear or spread with a substance
smear971
dechea1000
cleamc1000
besmearc1050
clamc1380
glue1382
pargeta1398
overslame?1440
plaster?1440
beslab1481
strike1525
bestrike1527
streak1540
bedaub1558
spread1574
daub1598
paste1609
beplaster1611
circumlite1657
oblite1657
fata1661
gaum?1825
treacle1839
butter1882
slap1902
slather1941
nap1961
1540 R. Jonas tr. E. Roesslin Byrth of Mankynde i. f. xxxiiiiv In the water of this decoction beynge warme, dyp a spunge..fomentinge, sokynge, and strekynge the backe with the same.
1561 J. Hollybush tr. H. Brunschwig Most Excellent Homish Apothecarye f. 6 Wyth thys wyne streke the lymmes greued.
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream ii. i. 257 And, with the iuyce of this, Ile streake her eyes. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)] > scatter loosely or strew
strew971
strayOE
strawc1175
instriec1420
streak?c1440
overstrewc1450
straw1549
bestrew1667
spurna1722
?c1440 Anc. Cookery in Coll. Ordinances Royal Househ. (1790) 471 Then take the same stuff, and streke above the trenchours al hote.
1517 in Archaeologia 46 205 Paid to Alson hog for strekyng of the straw mete & wages, iij d.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touching with the hand > touch or feel with the hand [verb (transitive)] > pass the hand over > pass (the hand) over
streak1607
1607 T. Dekker & G. Wilkins Iests to make you Merie sig. F3v Two of them meete him at a corner, and only with streaking of their hands on his hose, gesse whether this bayte be worth the nibling at.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > rubbing or friction > rub [verb (intransitive)]
rubc1400
streak1607
chafe1608
fret1654
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 410 Lay vnto the place a peece of shoomakers waxe made like a flat cake,..and with your iron not made ouer hot, streek softly vpon it too and fro, vntill the said wax be throughly melted into the sore.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
streakv.2
/striːk/, U.S. /strik/ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > memory > effacement, obliteration > efface, obliterate [verb (transitive)] > erase by marking
strikec1386
to rub offa1425
cancelc1440
streakc1440
cross1483
outstrike1487
line1530
to strike out1530
dash1549
to strike off1597
cancellate1664
damask1673
score1687
to run through1817
overscore1834
blue-pencil1883
stroke1885
caviar1890
to stencil out1891
to strike through1898
ex1935
x1942
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 479/2 Strekyn, or cancellyn a thynge wrytyn, cancello, obelo.
1594 T. Blundeville Exercises i. v. f. 7v Streeke out the 48. and also the first figure of your Diuisor which is 5.
1595 T. Edwards Cephalus & Procris (1882) 28 Affection is the whole Parenthesis, That here I streake, which from our taske doth misse.
2. figurative.1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 118. ⁋3 This Affliction in my Life has streaked all my Conduct with a Softness, of which I should otherwise have been incapable.
a. To mark with lines or stripes of a different colour, substance, or texture; to form streaks on or in.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > variegation > stripiness > stripe [verb (transitive)] > streak
lace1485
betracea1500
strake1537
streak1595
flake1615
freak1638
belace1648
striate1709
bestreak1726
beseam1839
1595 T. Edwards Narcissus (Roxb.) 55 Now Phœbus gins..To streake the welkin with his darting beames.
1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion xiv. 233 No browne, nor sullyed black the face or legs [of the Cotswold sheep] doth streak.
1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 354 Some pieces of Rock streaked with gold and silver.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 623 To morrow ere fresh Morning streak the East With first approach of light. View more context for this quotation
1786 S. Henley tr. W. Beckfrod Vathek 38 The clear blue sky appeared streaked over with streams of blood.
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess iii. 103 Pure as lines of green that streak the white Of the first snowdrop's inner leaves.
1888 F. Hume Madame Midas i. Prol. 13 The sudden line of white foam every now and then streaking the dark green waves.
1913 Illustr. London News 22 Feb. 238/3 Large mines of rock-salt streaked here and there by riband-like veins of sylvine.
b. Bacteriology. To draw an infected needle or the like lightly over the surface of a solid culture medium in order to initiate a culture in which there is a varied density of growth: used with either the needle or the medium as object. Also, to transfer (a bacterial specimen) in this way.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > laboratory analysis > processes > [verb (transitive)] > streaking
streak1910
1910 [implied in: P. H. Hiss & H. Zinsser Text-bk. Bacteriol. viii. 148 (heading) Separation of bacteria by surface streaking. (at streaking n.2 1b)].
1927 R. A. Kelser Man. Vet. Bacteriol. vi. 70 By going to the end of the streak with a sterile needle and streaking that portion down, the end of such down streak will contain but very few bacteria.
1934 A. T. Henrici Biol. Bacteria xii. 203 It is often advisable to streak a second or even a third plate without recharging the wire loop.
1949 F. C. Kelly & K. E. Hite Microbiology xi. 147 The specimen is streaked out with a sterile inoculating needle.
1969 Sirockin & Cullimore Practical Microbiol. ii. 17 Streak out a loopful of the broth culture using the aseptic techniques described.
1976 Williams & Shaw Micro-Organisms x. 124 (caption) Streaking a plate with pure cultures.
1977 Lancet 29 Oct. 906/1 A bacteriological loop is used to sweep across the surface of a young culture of the isolate and is then streaked across one end of the strip.
1980 Nature 21 Feb. 793/1 Faecal specimens were collected on sterile ‘Culturettes’..and streaked onto MacConkey plates.
c. Hairdressing. To tint (the hair) with streaks (streak n.1 2h). Cf. streaking n.2 3.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the hair > beautify (the hair) [verb (transitive)] > colour
dyec1386
colour1600
henna1851
blondine1894
peroxide1899
tint1921
highlight1935
rinse1959
blue-rinse1962
streak1965
1965 R. Corson Fashions in Hair xiv. 625 Women developed an experimental urge and began streaking their hair.
3. To form or prolong in streaks.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > condition of being long in relation to breadth > make long in relation to breadth [verb (transitive)] > form in streaks
streak1895
1895 P. Hemingway Out of Egypt ii. 181 He looked at the great oaks standing motionless, at the answering shadows streaked along the meadows.
4. intransitive.† a. Of a comet: To emit rays or streamers of light. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > constellation > comet or meteor > comet > [verb (intransitive)] > tail
streak1606
1606 T. Heywood 2nd Pt. If you know not Me (1609) E 2 Looke how it streakes, what doe you thinke of it? Shir. Tis a strang Comet M. Hobson.
b. Of lightning: To break forth in a streak.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > naturally occurring light > emit beams (of a luminary) [verb (intransitive)] > flash lightning
laita1225
lightena1398
levina1400
flush-flash1582
fulgurate1677
flash1791
fork1807
streak1849
lightning1861
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > bad weather > thunder and lightning > [verb (intransitive)] > lighten > flash > specific
fork1807
streak1849
1849 G. Cupples Green Hand vi, in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Dec. 736/2 I saw a blue flare of lightning streak out betwixt the bank of grey haze and the cloud that hung over it.
1902 Westm. Gaz. 2 July 2/3 Perhaps, however, lightning can streak into many places at once.
5. To become streaked or streaky.
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the world > matter > colour > variegation > stripiness > [verb (intransitive)] > streak
streak1870
strake1911
1870 Pall Mall Gaz. 25 Nov. 12/2 His locks are thinning and his whiskers streaking with silver.
1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) III. 231 Paper at all liable to streak should be toned slowly.
6.
a. To go or advance quickly; to go at full speed, to rush. Also with off, out, up, etc. [Originally a respelling of streek v. 5, probably through association with streak n.1 3c.]
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > move swiftly [verb (intransitive)] > go at full speed
to burn the earth or windc1275
streekc1380
career1647
streak1768
streak1834
score1858
to go eyes out1863
to go for the doctor1907
1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherdess i. 51 O'er hill an' dale she forcefully did dreel; A' road to her was bad an' gueed alike, Nane o't she wyl'd, but forret still did streak.
1834 New Monthly Mag. 41 465 Away we ‘streaked’ at the rate of twelve miles an hour against the current.
1844 ‘J. Slick’ High Life N.Y. I. 159 The door-bell rung, and in streaked five or six fellers.
1888 P. Gillmore Days & Nights by Desert xx. 170 True, it was wounded; but as it ‘streaked’ across the plain, from the pace it was going, no one would have thought so.
1893 Field 22 Apr. 581/3 A flock of teal come ‘streaking’ down towards me.
1897 Outing 29 439/1 A strong, young, spiked buck came streaking through the Chêniere.
1914 Times 26 Nov. 6 Discretion seems the better part of valour when one streaks through in one's car.
1915 H. Rosher In Royal Naval Air Service (1916) 50 I climbed to 2,000 feet and streaked off over the Channel.
1931 Punch 28 Oct. 456/1 The village kids..used to spend most of their leisure in pushing the door ajar in order to set it [sc. an electric bell] going and then streak for home.
1932 Daily Express 2 July 1/5 At a sudden signal the dog will streak away from his master's side.
1955 ‘A. Gilbert’ Is she Dead Too? vii. 128 ‘So you opened the door—’ ‘And Tom [sc. a cat] streaked out.’
1973 E. Lemarchand Let or Hindrance viii. 94 I got out at last, and streaked up to the bungalow.
b. with it.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > move swiftly [verb (intransitive)] > go at full speed
to burn the earth or windc1275
streekc1380
career1647
streak1768
streak1834
score1858
to go eyes out1863
to go for the doctor1907
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > go away suddenly or hastily
fleec825
runOE
swervea1225
biwevec1275
skip1338
streekc1380
warpa1400
yerna1400
smoltc1400
stepc1460
to flee (one's) touch?1515
skirr1548
rubc1550
to make awaya1566
lope1575
scuddle1577
scoura1592
to take the start1600
to walk off1604
to break awaya1616
to make off1652
to fly off1667
scuttle1681
whew1684
scamper1687
whistle off1689
brush1699
to buy a brush1699
to take (its, etc.) wing1704
decamp1751
to take (a) French leave1751
morris1765
to rush off1794
to hop the twig1797
to run along1803
scoot1805
to take off1815
speela1818
to cut (also make, take) one's lucky1821
to make (take) tracks (for)1824
absquatulize1829
mosey1829
absquatulate1830
put1834
streak1834
vamoose1834
to put out1835
cut1836
stump it1841
scratch1843
scarper1846
to vamoose the ranch1847
hook1851
shoo1851
slide1859
to cut and run1861
get1861
skedaddle1862
bolt1864
cheese it1866
to do a bunkc1870
to wake snakes1872
bunk1877
nit1882
to pull one's freight1884
fooster1892
to get the (also to) hell out (of)1892
smoke1893
mooch1899
to fly the coop1901
skyhoot1901
shemozzle1902
to light a shuck1905
to beat it1906
pooter1907
to take a run-out powder1909
blow1912
to buzz off1914
to hop it1914
skate1915
beetle1919
scram1928
amscray1931
boogie1940
skidoo1949
bug1950
do a flit1952
to do a scarper1958
to hit, split or take the breeze1959
to do a runner1980
to be (also get, go) ghost1986
1834 C. A. Davis Lett. J. Downing, Major ii. 23 I streaked it round the corner of the stone-fence to head him off.
1844 ‘J. Slick’ High Life N.Y. I. 132 I put on my hat, and streaked it down tu Peck slip.
1894 S. R. Crockett Raiders xvii. 156 Streekin' it for the Ferrytoon o' Cree as fast as the horses can birl.
c. transitive. To cause to move fast or like lightning.
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the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > cause to move swiftly [verb (transitive)] > very
streak1912
jet-propel1950
1912 W. Deeping Sincerity xviii. 137 She shot well, very few of her arrows streaking their way through the sunlight to stand slantingly in the grass.
1928 Daily Express 19 June 17/2 He hit only three 4's, and..streaked one from Staples dangerously through the slips when 28.
1928 Daily Express 25 June 17 Chapman..‘streaked’ several shots through the slips.
1970 J. Howard Please Touch 2 When supersonic transports streak 330 passengers to their destinations.
d. intransitive. To run naked in a public place as a stunt. Cf. streak n.2 slang (originally U.S.).
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the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > nakedness or state of being unclothed > [verb (intransitive)] > run naked in public
streak1973
1973 [implied in: Time 10 Dec. 14/2 Another statistic in a growing Los Angeles-area fad: streaking. (at streaking n.2 4)].
1974 Runner's World Mag. Feb. 9/1 During the winter of 1958–9 a group of us ‘streaked’ all over Berkeley.
1974 Daily Tel. 5 Mar. 3/6 At Memphis State University, the dean issued a warning that students caught ‘streaking’ would be suspended.
1974 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 18 Mar. s1/1 Phil Esposito, stripped as though to streak, held court in the cluttered quarters, tall, dark, unquiet.
1979 Daily Tel. 12 Jan. 9/3 The girls..had danced on the lawns in the nightdresses, ‘streaked’ to chapel and enjoyed midnight parties.
Derivatives
ˈstreaker n.2 one who runs naked in a public place; also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > nakedness or state of being unclothed > [noun] > running naked in public place > one who
streaker1973
1973 Time 10 Dec. 14/2 Streakers generally race nude between two unpredictable points.
1974 Newsweek 4 Feb. 63/3 One Los Angeles radio station broadcast ‘streaker alerts’ to warn the populace that naked youths were on the loose.
1978 D. Bloodworth Crosstalk xiii. 104 The streaker had invaded the Brasserie Lipp in Paris at lunchtime.
1978 J. Irving World according to Garp xi. 210 A young woman had reported that she was approached by an exhibitionist—at least, by a streaker.
streak-in n. [-in suffix3] a communal act of running naked in a public place.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > nakedness or state of being unclothed > [noun] > running naked in public place > act of
streak1974
streak-in1974
1974 Whig-Standard (Kingston, Ont.) 8 Mar. 3/2 The mass streak-in started near Victoria and Leonard Halls.
1974 Times 9 Mar. 4/8 Some of the students were arrested when a ‘streak-in’ turned into a riot.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1919; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
> see also
also refers to : streekstreakv.
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n.1c1000
n.21974
v.1c1440v.2c1440see also