Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EKE, v.t. [Sax. eacan; Sw. öka; Dan. öger. The primary sense is to add, or to stretch, extend, increase. Qu. L. augeo. The latter seems to be the Eng. to wax.]

1. To increase; to enlarge; as, to eke a store of provisions. Spenser.
2. To add to; to supply what is wanted; to enlarge by addition; sometimes with out; as, to eke or eke out a piece of cloth; eke out a performance. Pope.
3. To lengthen; to prolong; as, to eke out the time. Shak.