strike

Everyday

1. To strike is to hit something hard: «lightning struck the tree». tree →
2. A clock strikes when it rings to show the hour. tree →
3. To strike a match is to rub it to make a flame. tree →
4. A strike is when workers stop working to ask for better pay or conditions. tree →
5. In bowling a strike knocks all the pins down; in baseball it is a missed or bad swing. tree →
6. An idea strikes you when you suddenly think of it. tree →
7. To strike a name out of a list is to cross it off. tree →

In the lessons

In school maths: a clock striking the hours (times struck, gaps between strikes), a bowling strike, hitting. In science: lightning strikes. In history and everyday life: workers on strike, a bus strike. Phrases: «on strike», «strike a match», «lightning strike», «strike out», «three strikes and you're out».

Examples

• The clock strikes 3 times at 3 o'clock. tree →
• How many times does the clock strike from 1 to 4 o'clock? tree →
• He scored 2 strikes in bowling. tree →
• The clock takes 6 seconds to strike 4 times. tree →
• Lightning struck the old oak tree. tree →
• The bus drivers are on strike today. tree →
• Only grown-ups should strike matches. tree →
• It struck me that I had left my lunch at home. tree →
• Strike me out of thy list. tree →

Note

Past «struck». «Striking» also means very easy to notice: «a striking red coat». Maths: in clock problems the time is in the gaps between strikes: 4 strikes have 3 gaps. Trap: dividing by strikes instead of gaps. Safety: in a thunderstorm stay away from tall trees.

In Jewish tradition

Here "strike" is a map word meaning that a border line reaches a place and touches it. It also has the usual sense of hitting, as when a bow strikes someone through, men strike down carved work with hammers, or it is wrong to strike a noble man for his honesty.

Interpretation. The borders of the land in Numbers are written carefully, and tradition uses such descriptions to set the limits of the Land of Israel for certain commandments. The Psalm about striking down the carved work is read as a picture of the Temple's destruction.

Examples

• and the border shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall go down, and shall strike upon the slope of the sea of Chinnereth eastward; (Torah NUM.34.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• If he flee from the iron weapon, the bow of brass shall strike him through. (Writings JOB.20.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• And now all the carved work thereof together they strike down with hatchet and hammers. (Writings PSA.74.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• To punish also the righteous is not good, nor to strike the noble for their uprightness. (Writings PRO.17.26, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past «struck». «Striking» also means very easy to notice: «a striking red coat». Maths: in clock problems the time is in the gaps between strikes: 4 strikes have 3 gaps. Trap: dividing by strikes instead of gaps. Safety: in a thunderstorm stay away from tall trees.