keɪk n. & v. --n. 1 a a
mixture of
flour,
butter, eggs,
sugar,
etc., baked in
the oven. b a
quantity of
this baked in a flat
round or
ornamental shape and often iced and decorated. 2 a
other food in a flat round shape (fish cake). b = cattle-cake. 3 a flattish compact mass (a cake of soap). 4
Sc. & N.Engl.
thin oaten
bread. --v. 1 tr. & intr.
form into a compact mass. 2 tr. (usu. foll. by with)
cover (with a
hard or
sticky mass) (boots caked
with mud). øcakes and
ale merrymaking.
have one's cake and
eat it colloq.
enjoy both of
two mutually
exclusive alternatives. like
hot cakes rapidly or successfully. a
piece of cake colloq.
something easily achieved. a
slice of the cake participation in benefits. [ME f. ON kaka]