Stripe Meaning
/stɹaɪp/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA long region of a single colour in a repeating pattern of similar regions.
nounA long, relatively straight region against a different coloured background.
Sentence Examples
Life is like a zebra; white stripe, black stripe, and the ass at the end.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The zebra has a black ____ on its white coat.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The zebra is easily recognized by the bold black and white ____ pattern that covers its entire body.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English stripe, strype, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German strîpe, from Proto-West Germanic *strīpā, *strīpō, from Proto-Germanic *strīpô. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Striepe (“stripe, strip”), West Frisian stripe (“stripe”), Dutch streep (“stripe”), German Low German Striepe, Striep, Streep (“stripe”), German Streifen (“stripe, strip, band”), Danish stribe (“stripe”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Thou most lying slave,
Whom stripes may move, not kindness!"
— 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]:
"Forty stripes he [the judge] may give him [the wicked man], and not exceed:"
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Deuteronomy 25:3:
"Stones to eat and bitter water for their thirst, and stripes for tender nurture."
— 1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC:
"A certain Abbé Chuppe d'Auteroche [...] asserted that in Russia, the vapor baths, stripes were administered to the frequenters as a stimulus to the venereal appetite."
— 1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 45:
"But if there were any one who tried and could not make her laugh, he would have three red stripes cut out of his back and salt rubbed into them and, sad to relate, there were many sore backs in that kingdom."
— 1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 269:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The zebra has a black ____ on its white coat.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The zebra is easily recognized by the bold black and white ____ pattern that covers its entire body.