strafe

[ streyf, strahf ]

verb (used with object)

, strafed, straf·ing.

1. to attack (ground troops or installations) by airplanes with machine-gun fire.
2. Slang. to reprimand viciously.

verb (used without object)

, strafed, straf·ing.

1. (of a player character in a video game) to move sideways while keeping a target in view, rather than turning the body to face the character’s destination in a regular forward movement.

noun

1. a strafing attack.

strafe

/ strɑːf; streɪf /

verb

1. to machine-gun (troops, etc) from the air
2. slang.
   to punish harshly

noun

1. an act or instance of strafing

Derived Forms

• ˈstrafer, noun

Other Words From

• straf·er noun
• un·strafed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of strafe¹

First recorded in 1910–15; from German strafen “to punish”

Word History and Origins

Origin of strafe¹

C20: from German strafen to punish

Example Sentences

A visitor held the bones straight while I was doing this and Strafe did not struggle a particle.

From Project Gutenberg

The progress of Strafe, the lamb that had his leg broken, is about the most surprising thing I have seen in a long time.

From Project Gutenberg

Strafe is able to gambol about much as usual, though he limps a little and is thinner for his experience.

From Project Gutenberg

"We've got quite a jolly little offensive strafe on this afternoon," remarked the major.

From Project Gutenberg

We boarded the train and started out with the hope that American fighters would not come down and strafe the train.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assault
• blockade
• bomb
• bombard
• harass
• invade
• loot
• overrun
• plunder
• ransack
• rob
• storm
• swoop