stricken

Definition

Struck by something.

Etymology

From Middle English striken, ystriken, from Old English stricen, ġestricen, from Proto-West Germanic *strikan, from Proto-Germanic *strikanaz, past participle of Proto-Germanic *strīkaną (“to strike”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian strieken, Dutch gestreken, German Low German streken, German gestrichen.

Example Sentences

• "The town was stricken by a devastating earthquake that left many buildings in ruins."
• "Turning back, then, toward the basement staircase, she began to grope her way through blinding darkness, but had taken only a few uncertain steps when, of a sudden, she stopped short and for a little stood like a stricken thing, quite motionless save that she quaked to her very marrow in the grasp of a great and enervating fear."
• "Services had to be diverted, damaged lines restored, and materials for coastal defence and relief supplies conveyed to the stricken areas with all possible speed."