Word of the Day: EKE

Pronunciation: UK /iːk/ US /iːk/

Meaning

'Eke' means to make something, especially a supply of money, food or time, last longer by using it carefully. It is most commonly used in the phrase “eke out”, as in eke out a living or eke out an existence.

As an older, now largely obsolete word, eke could also mean “also” or “in addition”.

Examples for daily usage

  • They managed to eke out a living from their small farm.
  • She had to eke out her savings until she found another job.
  • We tried to eke out the remaining supplies for another week.

Origin and history

'Eke' has its roots in Old English. It comes from ‘ēcan’ and ēacian, meaning “to increase” or “make greater”, and is related to Old Norse auka, meaning “to increase”.

The word originally had a much broader sense of increasing, enlarging or lengthening something. Over time, this developed into the expression “eke out”, meaning to stretch something so that it lasts longer or to obtain something with considerable difficulty.

Interestingly, eke also existed as an adverb meaning “also” or “moreover”. This older use can still be found in medieval and early modern literature, although it has largely disappeared from everyday English.

Also Read: Word of the Day, September 01: ‘Croissant’

Cultural significance and modern usage

You are unlikely to hear someone use eke on its own in ordinary conversation today. Its most familiar form is “eke out”, particularly in phrases such as eke out a living, eke out an existence and eke out an income.

The expression often suggests that resources are limited and that someone is managing with what they have, sometimes with considerable difficulty. For example, a family might eke out a living from a small farm, while someone might eke out their savings until their next pay cheque.

Although the word may sound old-fashioned, “eke out” remains perfectly current, appearing in writing about finances, work, resources, sports and everyday life.

Interesting facts

Eke comes from Old English and is more than a thousand years old.

Its original meaning was connected to increasing or lengthening something.

Today, it is most commonly encountered as “eke out”.

Eke once also meant “also” or “moreover”, but this use is now archaic.

The word is related to the Germanic family of words meaning “increase”.

Examples from literature

  • “...elegant writing will eke out meagreness of subject-matter...” — Robert Graves, I, Claudius
  • “Say thy name and eke thy occupation.” — Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, The Knight of the Burning Pestle

Synonyms

  • Stretch
  • Extend
  • Supplement
  • Increase
  • Augment
  • Prolong

Antonyms

  • Deplete
  • Waste
  • Exhaust
  • Consume
  • Reduce
  • Shorten

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