eke

Eke is a verb meaning to supplement or extend something, especially by frugal effort or with limited resources. It is most commonly used in the phrase eke out, as in to eke out a living or to eke out a budget. The idea is to stretch what one has, often with difficulty, so that it lasts longer than it would otherwise.

Etymology and history: the word originates in Middle English, with senses related to increasing or enlarging and, over time, to extending what one possesses. The modern sense of making something last or adding to it by effort developed through usage. The adverb eke, meaning in addition or also, is historical or literary and is rarely used in contemporary prose outside of formal, religious, or poetic contexts.

Usage notes: in contemporary English, eke is most common in the transitive phrasal verb eke out. It can apply to money, time, food, information, or other resources. Example usages include “They managed to eke out a living on small wages” and “The committee tried to eke out the remaining hours of the meeting.” The bare verb form eke outside of historic or literary contexts is uncommon, and the archaic adverb eke appears mainly in older texts or stylistic writing.

See also: phrases involving resource management and frugality; related verbs for extending or supplementing resources.

In sum, eke denotes making something larger or lasting longer through careful or extra effort, typically paired with out in modern usage.