soak
UK[səʊk]US[soʊk]
v
To make something very wet, or to become very wet, by leaving or lying in liquid.
v
(Of a liquid) to enter or pass through something.
v
To spend a long time taking a bath.
Etymology
The verb 'soak' originates from the Old English 'socian', meaning "to become saturated with a liquid, to steep in". This Old English term is believed to be derived from the Proto-Germanic 'sukōną', which is related to the concept of sucking or absorbing. The core semantic thread from its ancient roots to its modern usage is the idea of a substance drawing in and retaining a liquid. Over time, this literal meaning expanded to include metaphorical senses, such as the thorough absorption of information or the penetration of a liquid through a barrier.
Analysis
The word 'soak' is a simplex word of Old English origin. It functions as a complete lexical root.
Examples
Soak the beans in water overnight before cooking.
The rain began to soak through my jacket.
On Sundays, I like to soak in a hot tub and read.