Definitions

1. verb

to make a laborious effort to achieve something; to manage to do something with difficulty

“She ekes out a living on her small income.”

2. verb

to reduce or make something less

“The company ekes down its production to meet the new demand.”

3. verb

to live or exist barely or just enough to survive

“The family ekes out a meager existence in the rural area.”

4. noun

a device used to draw water from a well or pond, typically by turning a handle

“The old village used a wooden eke to fetch water from the well.”

5. noun

the act of eking out something, especially a living

“Her eke of a life is a constant struggle to make ends meet.”