streak
streak / strēk/ • n. 1. a long, thin line or mark of a different substance or color from its surroundings: a streak of oil. ∎ Microbiology a narrow line of bacteria smeared on the surface of a solid culture medium.2. an element of a specified kind in someone's character: there's a streak of insanity in the family Lucy had a ruthless streak. ∎ a continuous period of specified success or luck: the theater is on a winning streak the team closed the season with an 11-game losing streak.• v. 1. [tr.] cover (a surface) with streaks: tears streaking her face, Cynthia looked up his beard was streaked with gray. ∎ dye (hair) with long, thin lines of a different, typically lighter color than one's natural hair color: [tr.] hair that was streaked blond. ∎ Microbiology smear (a needle, swab, etc.) over the surface of a solid culture medium to initiate a culture.2. [intr.] move very fast in a specified direction: the cat leaped free and streaked across the street.3. [intr.] inf. run naked in a public place so as to shock or amuse others.PHRASES: like a streak inf. very fast: he is off like a streak.streak of lightning a flash of lightning.DERIVATIVES: streak·er n. (in sense 3 of the verb ).