Meek

Meek

Adjective · /miːk/

Definition

Quiet, gentle, and submissive; overly humble and yielding; not inclined to dispute or assert oneself; (in religious contexts) patient, humble, and mild in spirit.

Origin

From Middle English meke, from Old Norse mjúkr (soft, gentle, pliant), related to Old English meoc (gentle, modest). The Old Norse origin reflects the Norse settlement of northern and eastern England. The word has strong Biblical resonances — Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth — from the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:5). The meaning has generally shifted toward excessive or weak submissiveness in everyday secular use.