v.
Pronunciation: ' s ē k
Function: verb
Inflected Form: sought \ ' so ̇ t \ ; seek · ing
Etymology: Middle English seken, from Old English s ē can; akin to Old High German suohhen to seek, Latin sagus prophetic, Greek h ē geisthai to lead
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 : to resort to : go to
2 a : to go in search of : look for b : to try to discover
3 : to ask for : REQUEST < seek s advice>
4 : to try to acquire or gain : aim at < seek fame>
5 : to make an attempt : TRY ― used with to and an infinitive <governments ⋯ seek to keep the bulk of their people contented ― D. M. Potter>
intransitive verb
1 : to make a search or inquiry
2 a : to be sought b : to be lacking <in critical judgment ⋯ they were sadly to seek ― Times Lit. Supp. >
– seek · er noun