adv
ake
ah-KAY
Ake (adv) means Forever; continually. (archaic or dialectal). Example: “The old ballad promises the lovers will be together ake.”
adv
1
Forever; continually. (archaic or dialectal)
""Ake, ake, ake," said Von Tempsky, weary over the camp-fire. "Has there been anything like it since the days of the old Greeks? What madness makes you kill such men when you may want them to fight for you some day?""
— Edith J. Lyttleton, G. B. Lancaster (1938)
"The old ballad promises the lovers will be together ake."
"One day Maui visited his parents to tell them of his latest plan — he wished to conquer his powerful enemy Hine-nui-te-po so that the Night might die and man would live forever: ake, ake, ake!"
— Queenie Rikihana, Paki Waitara: Myths & Legends of the Māori (1997)
"That was the time when the great wish grew in the heart of Maui, the wish to conquer his powerful enemy Hine-nui-te-po, that Night might die and man may live for ever: ake, ake, ake!—yes, it was his great wish."
— Wilhelm Dittmer, Te Tohunga: The Ancient Legends and Traditions of the Maoris (1907)
How to use ake
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old or dialect word for "forever" — rarely used in modern everyday English.
When to use it
Archaic; you will mostly meet this in older poetry or dialect writing, not in everyday speech.
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Word forms
- Plural
- akes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old ballad promises the lovers will be together _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from Māori ake, used in English mainly as an archaic or dialectal adverb meaning 'forever.'
Rhymes for ake
See all rhymes for ake →Frequently asked questions
What does “ake” mean?
The word “ake” means forever; continually. (archaic or dialectal). In plain terms, an old or dialect word for "forever" — rarely used in modern everyday English.
How do you pronounce “ake”?
“Ake” is pronounced ah-KAY (/ɑːˈkeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ake” in a sentence?
Here is “ake” used in a sentence: “The old ballad promises the lovers will be together ake.”
What part of speech is “ake”?
“Ake” is an adverb.
