Langimage
English

eke

|eke|

B2

/iːk/

supplement with difficulty

Etymology
Etymology Information

'eke' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'ēacian,' where 'ēac' meant 'to increase.'

Historical Evolution

'ēacian' changed from Old English to the modern English word 'eke.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to increase or add to,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to make a living with difficulty.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Verb 1

to make a living with difficulty or to supplement with difficulty.

He eked out a living by doing odd jobs.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Idioms

Last updated: 2025/01/31 11:22