leak
UK[liːk]US[liːk]
v
(of a container or covering) accidentally lose or admit contents, especially liquid or gas, through a hole or crack.
v
(of secret information) become known.
n
a hole or crack through which contents leak.
n
an instance of leaking or the quantity leaked.
n
an intentional disclosure of secret information.
Etymology
The word 'leak' entered Middle English from Middle Dutch 'leken' or Middle Low German 'leken', meaning 'to drip, leak'. These Germanic forms likely trace back to the Proto-Germanic 'lek-', which carried the core sense of 'to let water through'. This root is thought to be onomatopoeic in origin, imitating the sound of dripping water. Over centuries, the meaning expanded from the literal escape of liquids to encompass the accidental escape of gases and, metaphorically, the unauthorized disclosure of information. The semantic logic connects the physical concept of a substance escaping through an opening to the abstract concept of confidential information escaping from a secure source.
Analysis
The word 'leak' is a simplex word of probable Low German or Dutch origin. It functions as a complete, unanalyzable root in modern English.
Examples
The roof began to leak during the heavy storm.
Details of the confidential report leaked to the press.
They discovered a small leak in the water pipe.