milk
UK[mɪlk]US[mɪlk]
n
a white liquid produced by female mammals to feed their young, especially that from cows, goats, or sheep, drunk by humans
n
a whitish liquid or juice produced by some plants
v
to draw milk from a cow or other animal
v
to exploit or draw excessive benefit from a situation or person
Etymology
the word 'milk' descends from the proto-germanic meluks, which itself derives from the proto-indo-european root h₂melǵ-, meaning "to wipe" or "to rub off." this ancient root conceptually links to the act of drawing milk by hand. the term is common across germanic languages, such as old english meoluc and old high german miluh, demonstrating its deep historical continuity. the semantic journey from the physical action of extraction to the nourishing substance itself illustrates a classic metonymic shift, where the process gives its name to the product.
Analysis
the word 'milk' is a simplex word of germanic origin. it functions as a whole unit; its internal structure is not productively divisible into meaningful morphemes in modern english.
Examples
she poured a glass of cold milk for the children.
the invention aimed to milk energy from ocean waves.
coconut milk is a common ingredient in many southeast asian cuisines.