striker

Etymology

strike + -er

noun

1. An individual who is on strike.
2. Someone or something that hits someone or something else.
   1. A blacksmith's assistant who wields the sledgehammer.
      The striker's job was onerous, too, because there was so little "give" in the metal, and the perpetual jarring was indeed trying to the muscles. 1945 January and February, A Former Pupil, “Some Memories of Crewe Works—III”, in Railway Magazine, page 13
   2. A piece used to push other pieces toward the pockets in the Asian game of carom.
   3. A piece of metal struck against a flint or quartz-rock to produce sparks; a steel.
   4. A piece of metal used to attract a magnet, or as a keeper for a magnet.
   5. (firearms, military) A mechanism of a firearm acting upon the firing pin.
3. (soccer) One of the players on a team in football (soccer) in the row nearest to the opposing team's goal, who are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals.
   Olympiakos had barely been in the Arsenal half but should have levelled in the 14th minute. A low corner was not dealt with and the ball fell to the feet of striker Rafik Djebbour, who saw his close-range effort brilliantly cleared from the goalline by Arteta. September 28, 2011, Tom Rostance, “Arsenal 2 - 1 Olympiakos”, in BBC Sport
4. (military, slang) An officer's servant or orderly.
   "Dog-robber" has a definite significance to some army men; but unless one has spent some time in uniform he will probably have to search long for its meaning: an officer's servant or striker. 1921, Franklyn Bliss Snyder, Ronald Salmon Crane, The English of Business, page 90
5. (baseball, slang, 1800s) The batter.
6. (cricket) The batsman who is currently facing the bowler and defending his wicket.
7. (obsolete) A harpoon.
8. (obsolete) A harpooner.
9. (obsolete) An inexperienced member of a ship's crew.
10. (obsolete) A wencher; a lewd man.
    'Twill prove a notable striker, like his father. c. 1621–6, Philip Massinger, “The Unnatural Combat”, in William Gifford, editor, The Plays of Philip Massinger, published 1845, act 4, scene 2, page 54
11. (obsolete, politics) A blackmailer in politics.
12. (obsolete, politics) One whose political influence can be bought.