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MEEK
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I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Evidencing little spirit or courage; overly submissive or compliant
Example:
was submissive and subservient
Synonyms:
meek; spiritless
Classified under:
Similar:
submissive (inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes of others or showing such inclination)
Derivation:
meekness (a disposition to be patient and long suffering)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
Example:
meek and self-effacing
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Similar:
humble (marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful)
Derivation:
meekness (a disposition to be patient and long suffering)
meekness (the feeling of patient, submissive humbleness)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Very docile
Example:
meek as a mouse
Synonyms:
meek; tame
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
docile (willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed)
Derivation:
meekness (the feeling of patient, submissive humbleness)
Context examples:
He was humble and meek, filled with self-disparagement and abasement.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
And the young king rejoiced when he saw her beauty, and heard how meek and patient she had been; and without saying anything to the false bride, the king ordered a great feast to be got ready for all his court.
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
Meek, mouse-colored donkeys, laden with panniers of freshly cut grass passed by, with a pretty girl in a capaline sitting between the green piles, or an old woman spinning with a distaff as she went.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
I have committed follies, gentlemen, said Uriah, looking round with a meek smile, and I ought to bear the consequences without repining.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
But as the meek and lowly at the penitent form catch splendid glimpses of their future lordly existence, so did he catch similar glimpses of the state he would gain to by possessing her.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
Haughty English, lively French, sober Germans, handsome Spaniards, ugly Russians, meek Jews, free-and-easy Americans, all drive, sit, or saunter here, chatting over the news, and criticizing the latest celebrity who has arrived—Ristori or Dickens, Victor Emmanuel or the Queen of the Sandwich Islands.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Mrs. Chillip does go so far as to say, pursued the meekest of little men, much encouraged, that what such people miscall their religion, is a vent for their bad humours and arrogance.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
I am surprised to find him a meeker man than I had thought, and less imposing in appearance.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
He sidled into the parlour as soon as he was at liberty, and said to my aunt in his meekest manner: Well, ma'am, I am happy to congratulate you.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
You knew me when, in spite of my follies, I was umble among them that was proud, and meek among them that was violent—you was violent to me yourself, Mr. Copperfield.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
