n. & v.
n. 1 a a mixture of flour, butter, eggs, sugar, etc., baked in the oven. b a quantity of this baked in a flat round or ornamental shape and often iced and decorated. 2 a other food in a flat round shape (fish cake). b = cattle-cake. 3 a flattish compact mass (a cake of soap). 4 Sc. & N.Engl. thin oaten bread.
v. 1 tr. & intr. form into a compact mass. 2 tr. (usu. foll. by with) cover (with a hard or sticky mass) (boots caked with mud). cakes and ale merrymaking. have one's cake and eat it colloq. enjoy both of two mutually exclusive alternatives. like hot cakes rapidly or successfully. a piece of cake colloq. something easily achieved. a slice of the cake participation in benefits.
[ ME f. ON kaka ]