leaky

the adjective 'leaky' is formed from the verb 'leak' and the adjectival suffix '-y'. the verb 'leak' itself entered middle english from old norse leka, meaning to drip or to let fluid escape. the underlying proto-germanic root lek- is thought to be imitative in origin, mimicking the sound of dripping water. the suffix '-y', of old english origin, is a highly productive element used to create adjectives from nouns and verbs, imparting the sense of "having the quality of" or "inclined to." thus, 'leaky' literally means "characterized by leaking," a meaning that has extended metaphorically to describe anything, like information, that is prone to escape containment.

Structure: leak (to let fluid in/out) + y (adjective-forming suffix) leak (from middle english leken, of old norse origin, meaning to drip or let fluid in/out); y (from old english -ig, a common suffix forming adjectives meaning "characterized by" or "full of").