I. ˈrēk noun
Etymology: Middle English rek, from Old English rēc; akin to Old High German rouh smoke
Date: before 12th century
1. chiefly dialect : smoke
2. : vapor , fog
3. : a strong or disagreeable fume or odor
II. verb
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1. : to emit smoke or vapor
2.
a. : to give off or become permeated with a strong or offensive odor
a room reek ing of incense
b. : to give a strong impression of some constituent quality or feature
a neighborhood that reek s of poverty
3. : emanate
transitive verb
1. : to subject to the action of smoke or vapor
2. : exude , give off
a politician who reek s charm
• reek·er noun
• reeky ˈrē-kē adjective