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).
Phrases and idioms:
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.
Etymology: ME f. ON kaka