striker
UK: ˈstraɪkə | US: ˈstraɪkər
n. a player in sports (e.g., soccer) whose primary role is to score goals
n. a worker who goes on strike as part of a labor protest
n. a mechanical part that delivers a sharp blow (e.g., in a bell or firearm)
The word "striker" combines the verb "strike" (Middle English, meaning "to hit") with the agentive suffix "-er," denoting someone or something that performs an action. "Strike" itself traces back to Old English "strīcan" (to stroke, rub, or go), influenced by Old Norse "strīka." Over time, "strike" evolved to emphasize forceful contact, leading to "striker" as a term for someone who delivers blows (literal or figurative, as in labor strikes or sports).
The striker scored a decisive goal in the final minute.
Factory strikers demanded better wages and working conditions.
The clock’s striker chimed loudly at midnight.
She trained hard to become the team’s lead striker.
The union appointed him as their chief striker during negotiations.