Re: THEORY: Evolution of infixes/ablaut?

John Cowan euecuet:

> Nik Taylor scripsit:
>
> > In the same direction is "ekename" --> "nickname"; where "eke" meant
> > "replacement" or something like that.
>
> It meant and still means "augment", as in "eke out a meager living by
> taking in one another's washing" (Mark Twain).
After a quick consultation with my Etymological Dictionary, it seems eke
(vb) and eke (adj) are unconnected. The adj is from OE éc "also", cognate to
German auch "of uncertain origin" and the vb is from éacan "grow", which is
cognate to Latin augere.

Dan