n.
Pronunciation: ' s ō k
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English soken, from Old English socian; akin to Old English s ū can to suck
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1 : to lie immersed in liquid (as water) : become saturated by or as if by immersion
2 a : to enter or pass through something by or as if by pores or interstices : PERMEATE b : to penetrate or affect the mind or feelings ― usually used with in or into
3 : to drink alcoholic beverages intemperately
transitive verb
1 : to permeate so as to wet, soften, or fill thoroughly
2 : to place in a surrounding element (as liquid) to wet or permeate thoroughly
3 : to extract by or as if by steeping < soak the dirt out>
4 a : to draw or take in by or as if by suction or absorption < soak ed up the sunshine> b : to intoxicate (oneself) by drinking alcoholic beverages
5 : to cause to pay an exorbitant amount
– soak · er noun
synonyms SOAK , SATURATE , DRENCH , STEEP , IMPREGNATE mean to permeate or be permeated with a liquid. SOAK implies usually prolonged immersion as for softening or cleansing < soak the garment in soapy water>. SATURATE implies a resulting effect of complete absorption until no more liquid can be held <a saturated sponge>. DRENCH implies a thorough wetting by something that pours down or is poured <clothes drenched by a cloudburst>. STEEP suggests either the extraction of an essence (as of tea leaves) by the liquid or the imparting of a quality (as a color) to the thing immersed < steep the tea for five minutes>. IMPREGNATE implies a thorough interpenetration of one thing by another <a cake strongly impregnated with brandy>.