Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Sake?

\Sake\ (s[=a]k), n. [OE. sake cause, also, lawsuit, fault, AS. sacu strife, a cause or suit at law; akin to D. zaak cause, thing, affair, G. sache thing, cause in law, OHG. sahha, Icel. s["o]k, Sw. sak, Dan. sag, Goth. sakj[=o] strife, AS. sacan to contend, strive, Goth. sakam, Icel. saka to contend, strive, blame, OHG. sahhan, MHG. sachen, to contend, strive, defend one's right, accuse, charge in a lawsuit, and also to E. seek. Cf. {Seek}.] Final cause; end; purpose of obtaining; cause; motive; reason; interest; concern; account; regard or respect; -- used chiefly in such phrases as, for the sake of, for his sake, for man's sake, for mercy's sake, and the like; as, to commit crime for the sake of gain; to go abroad for the sake of one's health. Moved with wrath and shame and ladies' sake. --Spenser. I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake. --Gen. viii. 21. Will he draw out, For anger's sake, finite to infinite? --Milton. Knowledge is for the sake of man, and not man for the sake of knowledge. --Sir W. Hamilton. Note: The -s of the possessive case preceding sake is sometimes omitted for euphony; as, for goodness sake. ``For conscience sake.'' --1 Cor. x. 28. The plural sakes is often used with a possessive plural. ``For both our sakes.'' --Shak.