👉 A stroke; a blow.
Alright class, settle down, let’s take a look! That dictionary definition – “a stroke, a blow” – is a good starting point, you see. But "beats" has a few different meanings, depending on the context, it's true! Let’s break it down, nice and slow: 1. Rhythm & Music: This is probably what pops into your head first, wouldn’t you agree? “Beats” refer to the steady pulse in music – like a drum or a heartbeat. Think of a strong, consistent thump - boom-boom-boom ! That's a beat! It’s the foundation of the rhythm, you see. 2. A Quick Action: Sometimes "beats" means a short, sharp movement or impact. Like when someone “beats” a drum – they hit it with force! Or if you "beat" the pavement with your foot - thump-thump ! 3. To Overcome or Defeat: This is a little more figurative, and sometimes used in older language. It can mean to defeat someone in a contest, or even “beat” your own record – like in running! So, "a stroke" and "a blow" are just one way to think about it. To really understand it, let’s try an example: “The drummer beats the rhythm with his hand.” (pause for thought) Or, “He beat his opponent in the boxing match!” Do you have any questions about which meaning of "beats" we're focusing on today? Let’s discuss!