I. ˈlēk verb
Etymology: Middle English leken, liken, from or akin to Middle Dutch leken; akin to Old English hlec leaky, Old High German zelehhan, Old Norse leka to leak and probably to Old English leccan to moisten, Middle Irish legaid it melts
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to enter or escape through an opening usually by a fault or mistake
fumes leak in
b. : to let a substance or light in or out through an opening
2.
a. : to become known despite efforts at concealment
confidential information leak ed out
b. : to be the source of an information leak
transitive verb
1. : to permit to enter or escape through or as if through a leak
2. : to give out (information) surreptitiously
leak ed the story to the press
• leak·er ˈlē-kər noun
II. noun
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : a crack or hole that usually by mistake admits or lets escape
b. : something that permits the admission or escape of something else usually with prejudicial effect
2. : the act, process, or an instance of leaking
3. sometimes vulgar : an act of urinating — used especially in the phrase take a leak
• leak·proof ˈlēk-ˌprüf adjective