Leek

Pronunciation

• enPR: lÄ“k, IPA: /liːk/
• Rhymes: -iːk
• Homophones: leak

Origin

From Middle English, from Old English lēac ("a garden herb, leek, onion, garlic"), from Proto-Germanic *lauką ("leek, onion") *laukaz, from Proto-Indo-European *leug- ("to bend"). Cognate with Dutch look ("garlic, leek"), Low German look, Look, German Lauch ("leek, allium"), Danish løg, Swedish lök ("onion"), Icelandic laukur ("onion, leek, garlic"). See garlic.

Full definition of leek

Noun

1. The vegetable Allium ampeloprasum, of the lily family, having edible leaves and an onion-like bulb but with a milder flavour than the onion.
2. Any of several species of Allium, broadly resembling the domesticated plant in appearance in the wild.

Synonyms

• (Allium ampeloprasum) scallion (US, Scotland), garden leek, broadleaf wild leek

Derived terms

• - Allium ampeloprasum,
• -
• - Allium ampeloprasum
• -
• -
• houseleek - Sempervivum

Anagrams

• keel