lek

Εννοια (English)

Noun

An aggregation of male animals for the purposes of courtship and display.

Verb

1. To take part in the courtship and display behaviour of a lek.
2. (colloquial) To play.

Synonyms

lekking

perform courtship rituals

Προφέρεται ως (IPA)

/lɛk/

Etymology (English)

Cognate with Σουηδικά: leka

In summary

From Germanic roots meaning "play". In the biology sense, it comes specifically from Swedish lek (“child's play”), by means of Swedish leka (“to play”). The verb is first attested in English in 1871 and the noun at least as early as 1867.