Pronunciation: [lˈe͡ɪk] (IPA) 
The word "lake" is pronounced /leɪk/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The letter combination "a-k-e" represents the long vowel sound /eɪ/, which is a diphthong composed of two vowel sounds /e/ and /ɪ/. This is why the word "lake" is spelled with an "a" instead of an "e". The sound /leɪk/ is commonly pronounced in English-speaking countries and represents a body of water surrounded by land.
A lake is a natural or artificial body of water, typically located inland and characterized by a large expanse of water surrounded by land. It is often found in a depression or basin that has been filled with water over time. Lakes are distinct from other water bodies like rivers and oceans due to their enclosed nature and lack of direct connection to the sea. They serve as important freshwater ecosystems, supporting various plant and animal species.
Lakes can vary in size, from small ponds to enormous inland seas. They are often formed through geological processes such as tectonic activity, glacial actions, volcanic eruptions, or even human-made structures like dams. These bodies of water are usually fed by rivers, rain, and groundwater. The water level in a lake is usually stable unless there are significant inflows or outflows, and it generally remains static compared to the movement in rivers.
Lakes offer multiple benefits to humans and the environment. They serve as a vital source of drinking water, irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation. They also provide recreational opportunities like swimming, fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. Furthermore, lakes contribute to climate regulation by absorbing solar radiation and aiding in the water cycle.
With their distinctive characteristics and ecological roles, lakes have captivated human imagination for centuries and continue to be significant features in our landscapes, providing valuable resources and serving as a scenic backdrop for both urban and rural areas.
1. A small collection of fluid lacus. 2. A pigment made by combining an animal or vegetable coloring matter with a metallic oxide. 3. To cause blood-serum to assume a clear red color as a result of hemolysis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• A body of water surrounded by land.
• A name applied to all those red colours which consist of a vegetable dye, combined by precipitation with a white earthy basis, which is usually alumina.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "lake" has its origins in Old English. It is derived from the word "lacu", which meant "stream, ditch, or pond". This Old English term itself can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "lakō", which had a similar meaning. The origin of this Proto-Germanic word is uncertain, although some scholars believe it may ultimately derive from the Proto-Indo-European root "*lak-", which meant "to drip, moisten". Ultimately, the word "lake" has ancient roots connected to the idea of water or moisture.
