Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ



Nov 18, 2014
This week's theme
Words borrowed from German

This week's words
gemeinschaft
strafe
gleichschaltung
sitzkrieg
leitmotif

Gott strafe England!
An unofficial stamp produced in Germany during WWI
Photo: Wikimedia

Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

strafe

PRONUNCIATION:
(strayf)

MEANING:
verb tr.:
1. To attack with machine-gun fire or bombs from a low-flying aircraft.
2. To criticize severely.

noun:
1. An attack from a low-flying aircraft.
2. A severe criticism.


ETYMOLOGY:
From the German slogan "Gott strafe England!" ([May] God punish England!) during WWI. From German strafen (to punish). Earliest documented use: 1915.

USAGE:
"Alanis is strafed with scorn no matter what she does, and her attachment parenting style is often derided on Internet sites."
Bruce Ward; Alanis at 40; Ottawa Citizen (Canada); May 21, 2014.

See more usage examples of strafe in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Wanting to meet an author because you like his work is like wanting to meet a duck because you like paté. -Margaret Atwood, novelist and poet (b. 1939)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith