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n. 1. A line, mark, smear, or band differentiated by color or texture from its surroundings. 2. An inherent, often contrasting quality: "There was a streak of wildness in him" (Olga Carlisle). 3. A ray or flash of light: the first streaks of dawn; a streak of lightning. 4. Informal a. A brief run or stretch, as of luck. b. An unbroken series, as of wins or losses. 5. Mineralogy The color of the fine powder produced when a mineral is rubbed against a hard surface. Used as a distinguishing characteristic. 6. Botany Any of various viral diseases of plants characterized by the appearance of discolored stripes on the leaves or stems. 7. Microbiology A sample of microorganisms that has been introduced into a solid culture medium by a needle drawn across its surface. v. streaked, streak·ing, streaks v.tr. 1. To mark with streaks: rain streaking the pavement. 2. To make streaks of a different, usually lighter color in (hair) using a chemical preparation. 3. Microbiology To inoculate (a culture medium) with a streak. v.intr. 1. To form streaks. 2. To be or become streaked. 3. To move at high speed; rush. 4. To run naked in public, especially as a prank. [Middle English streke, line, from Old English strica; see streig- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] streaker n. |
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