verb

hike

to go for a long walk, to increase suddenly

We plan to hike in the mountains.

We plan to hike in the mountains.

The government will hike taxes next year.

The government will hike taxes next year.

((in/through sth.)) to go for a long walk in a place We plan to hike in the mountains.

((sth.)) to increase the level or amount of sth. The government will hike taxes next year.

Synonyms (walk): trek, ramble; Synonyms (increase): raise, boost.

From Middle English 'hyken', meaning 'to walk vigorously'. The 'increase' sense is from the 20th century, possibly from 'hitching up'.

Imagine hiking *up* a mountain, which is a big *increase* in altitude. This connects the two meanings.

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