leak
UK: liːk | US: liːk
n. an unintended hole or crack that allows liquid/gas to escape
v. to accidentally let liquid/gas escape through a hole/crack
v. to secretly disclose confidential information
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Derived from Middle Dutch leken ("to drip, leak") and Old Norse leka, both meaning "to let liquid pass through." The word retains its core sense of uncontrolled passage, later extended metaphorically to information disclosure. Its compact Germanic structure (shared with Dutch lekken and German lecken) reflects ancient roots for liquid movement.
The roof has a leak after the heavy rain.
Water leaked from the cracked pipe overnight.
The journalist leaked classified documents to the press.
A gas leak forced the building’s evacuation.
The news leaked before the official announcement.