The Collaborative International Dictionary
Blow \Blow\, n. [OE. blaw, blowe; cf. OHG. bliuwan, pliuwan, to beat, G. bl["a]uen, Goth. bliggwan.]
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A forcible stroke with the hand, fist, or some instrument, as a rod, a club, an ax, or a sword.
Well struck ! there was blow for blow.
--Shak. -
A sudden or forcible act or effort; an assault.
A vigorous blow might win [Hanno's camp].
--T. Arnold. -
The infliction of evil; a sudden calamity; something which produces mental, physical, or financial suffering or loss (esp. when sudden); a buffet.
A most poor man, made tame to fortune's blows.
--Shak.At a blow, suddenly; at one effort; by a single vigorous act. ``They lose a province at a blow.''
--Dryden.To come to blows, to engage in combat; to fight; -- said of individuals, armies, and nations.
Syn: Stroke; knock; shock; misfortune.
Usage examples of "at a blow".
She slept on, slept long enough for one of the bolts to strike directly at the roof over her, and consume her at a blow, and her last sight was not really white at all, but every radiation possible, and instead of being limited by human eyes, at the moment of death she saw every wave of it, and thought that it was the light in her dream saying amen.
Still I rather encouraged the idea, for it is better that hope should die out gradually than be extinguished at a blow.
What was it Hughes said - Flashman had a knack of knowing what hurt, and by a cutting word or look could bring tears to the eyes of people who would have laughed at a blow?
Weve got energy shields and they cant just destroy us at a blow, but they can wear us down eventually--quite soon, in fact--and then destroy us.
We've got energy shields and they can't just destroy us at a blow, but they can wear us down eventually-quite soon, in fact-and then destroy us.
We've got energy shields and they can't just destroy us at a blow, but they can wear us down eventually -quite soon, in fact-and then destroy US.
He strikes him on the neck with a club if he wishes to kill him at a blow.
The Foundation is greater in volume and population, but they are loosely knit and will fall apart at a blow.