Definition of the word stricken

The word "stricken" originates from the Old English word "strecan" which meant "to strike" or "to smite." It was first used to describe something that had been physically hit or struck, as in a ship being struck by a sudden and violent blow from the waves. Over time, the meaning of the word evolved to also include an emotional or metaphorical sense. By the Middle English period, "stricken" was used to describe someone who was afflicted or overcome by misfortune or illness. In its current usage, "stricken" is most often used in a context that involves sorrow, grief, or misfortune, as in "she was stricken with grief" or "the country was stricken by a natural disaster." Its roots in the original meaning continue to be reflected in its use to describe something that has been hit or afflicted, as in "stricken by a bolt of lightning" or "stricken by a sudden illness."