eke Hear it!

eke¹ Definition

eke (ēk)

transitive verb eked, ek·ing

Now Dial. to make larger or longer; increase

Etymology: ME eken, to increase < OE eacan & eacian: see wax

eke¹ Idioms

eke out

  1. to add to so as to make sufficient; supplement to eke out an income with a second job
  2. to manage to make (a living) with difficulty
  3. to use (a supply) frugally

eke² Definition

eke (ēk)

adverb

Archaic also

Etymology: ME < OE eac, akin to Ger auch < IE base *au-, again, on the other hand > L aut, Gr au, on the other hand

eke Usage Examples

Particle object:

  • existence: The average applicant to the Hardship Fund is now forced to eke out an existence on just £ 57 per week.
  • living: Around 3,500 families eke out a living from growing tea here, high in the hills of western Uganda.
  • lead: From there he managed to eke out a small lead, as his two pursuers swapped places.
  • livelihood: Somehow ostriches, foxes, sheep and the guanaco, a relative of the llama, eke out a livelihood.
  • win: Shabana mixed patches of brilliance with spells of lapsed concentration, but it was enough to eke out a win.
  • bit: Eke out every bit of illumination by fitting translucent, instead of opaque, shades.

Modifying Another Word

  • now: Orphans from the genocide are now eking out a living from the land alongside the increasing number of children orphaned through HIV/AIDS.
  • still: Nomadic tribes still eke out a living from the surrounding deserts.
  • somehow: Bedouins are a nomadic people who somehow eke a living from moving around the desert, from oasis to wadi.
  • then: Pensioners are forced to retire and then eke out a miserable living.

Object

living: Bedouins are a nomadic people who somehow eke a living from moving around the desert, from oasis to wadi.

Browse dictionary entries near eke

  1. ejusdem generis
  2. ejido
  3. ejectment
  4. ejection seat
  5. ejection
  6. ejecta
  7. eject
  8. ejaculatory
  9. ejaculation
  10. ejaculate
  1. eke out
  2. EKG
  3. ekistics
  4. EKTS
  5. el
  6. El Cajon
  7. El Dorado
  8. El Faiyûm
  9. El Ferrol
  10. El Greco