To pacify or soothe (someone).
To lessen the intensity of, to mitigate or relieve (hunger, emotion, pain etc.).
To hit, slap or strike.
To kill, bump off.
To surpass; to better.
To beat convincingly; to thrash.
To share or parcel out (often with up).
An attempt, a chance, a turn, a go, originally an attempt to beat someone or something.
The sound of a heavy strike.
The strike itself.
The backslash, ⟨ \ ⟩.
The stroke itself, regardless of its successful impact.