streak

noun

• 1a 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.

• 2an element of a specified kind in someone’s character:there’s a streak of insanity in the family Lucy had a ruthless streak
• [usually with adjective] 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

verb

• 1 [with object] 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:hair that was streaked blond
• Microbiology smear (a needle, swab, etc.) over the surface of a solid culture medium to initiate a culture.

• 2 [no object] move very fast in a specified direction:the cat leaped free and streaked across the street

• 3 [no object] informal run naked in a public place so as to shock or amuse others.