seek

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Related terms 1.3.3 Translations 1.4 Anagrams

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Old English sēċan, with influence from Old Norse sœkja, whence the hard /k/ sound (compare beseech).

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /si:k/, sēk
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Homophones: Sikh
• Rhymes: -iːk

[edit] Verb

to seek (third-person singular simple present seeks, present participle seeking, simple past and past participle sought)

1. (transitive) To try to find, to look for, to search.

   I seek wisdom.

2. (transitive) To inquire for; to ask for; to solicit; to beseech.
   • 1960, Lobsang Rampa, The Rampa Story:

   “My, my! It is indeed a long way yet, look you!” said the pleasant woman of whom I sought directions.

3. (transitive) To try to acquire or gain; to strive after; to aim at.
   • 1880, George Q. Cannon, How the Gospel is Preached By the Elders, etc.:

   But persecution sought the lives of men of this character.

   • 1886, Constantine Popoff, translation of Leo Tolstoy's What I Believe:

   I can no longer seek fame or glory, nor can I help trying to get rid of my riches, which separate me from my fellow-creatures.

4. (intransitive, obsolete) To go, move, travel (in a given direction).
   • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book V:

     Ryght so he sought [...] towarde Sandewyche where he founde before hym many galyard knyghtes [...].

[edit] Synonyms

• look for
• search

[edit] Related terms

• hide and seek
• seeker

[edit] Translations

[edit] Anagrams

• Anagrams of eeks
• ekes
• kees
• seke