adjective, meek·er, meek·est.
1.
humbly patient or docile, as under provocation from others.
2.
overly submissive or compliant; spiritless; tame.
3.
Obsolete. gentle; kind.
Origin:
1150–1200; Middle English meke, meoc < Old Norse mjūkr soft, mild, meek
1150–1200; Middle English meke, meoc < Old Norse mjūkr soft, mild, meek
Related forms
meek·ly, adverb
meek·ness, noun
o·ver·meek, adjective
o·ver·meek·ly, adverb
o·ver·meek·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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|
Link To meek
00:10
Meek
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
meek (miːk) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | patient, long-suffering, or submissive in disposition or nature; humble |
| 2. | spineless or spiritless; compliant |
| 3. | an obsolete word for gentle |
| [C12: related to Old Norse mjūkr amenable; compare Welsh mwytho to soften] | |
| 'meekly | |
| —adv | |
| 'meekness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
meek
c.1200, "gentle, courteous, kind," from O.N. mjukr "soft, pliant, gentle," from P.Gmc. *meukaz (cf. Goth. muka-modei "humility," Du. muik "soft"), of uncertain origin. Use to translate L. mansuetus from Vulgate (see mansuetude). Sense of "submissive" is from mid-14c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Parishioners these days are very different from the meek flocks of a generation ago.
In this psychological thriller, the meek protagonist makes a pact with a shadowy, wild boy.
Two to three former customers drop by daily to offer meek apologies.
The strong do not willingly yield to the meek.
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