Library / English Dictionary

STRAFE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

An attack of machine-gun fire or cannon fire from a low flying airplane

Example:

the next morning they carried out a strafe of enemy airfields

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("strafe" is a kind of...):

attack; onrush; onset; onslaught ((military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons))

Derivation:

strafe (attack with machine guns or cannon fire from a low-flying plane)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Attack with machine guns or cannon fire from a low-flying plane

Example:

civilians were strafed in an effort to force the country's surrender

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Hypernyms (to "strafe" is one way to...):

assail; attack (launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

strafe (an attack of machine-gun fire or cannon fire from a low flying airplane)

strafer (a combat pilot who strafes the enemy)

Credits