Peep
[piːp] or [pip]
Definition
(verb.) appear as though from hiding; 'the new moon peeped through the tree tops'.
(verb.) speak in a hesitant and high-pitched tone of voice.
(verb.) make high-pitched sounds; 'the birds were chirping in the bushes'.
(verb.) cause to appear; 'he peeped his head through the window'.
(verb.) look furtively; 'He peeped at the woman through the window' .
Typed by Gladys--From WordNet
Definition
(v. i.) To cry, as a chicken hatching or newly hatched; to chirp; to cheep.
(v. i.) To begin to appear; to look forth from concealment; to make the first appearance.
(v. i.) To look cautiously or slyly; to peer, as through a crevice; to pry.
(n.) The cry of a young chicken; a chirp.
(n.) First outlook or appearance.
(n.) A sly look; a look as through a crevice, or from a place of concealment.
(n.) Any small sandpiper, as the least sandpiper (Trigna minutilla).
(n.) The European meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis).
Checked by Irving
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. n. [1]. Chirp (as a chicken), pule, pip.[2]. Peer, look slyly.
Typist: Trevor
Definition
v.i. to look through a narrow opening: to look out from concealment: to look slyly or cautiously: to begin to appear.—n. a sly look: a beginning to appear a glimpse: a narrow view a slit.—ns. Peep′er one that peeps: a prying person: a chicken just breaking the shell: (slang) the eye; Peep′-hole a hole through which one may look without being seen; Peep′-o'-day the first appearance of light in the morning; Peep′-show a small show viewed through a small hole usually fitted with a magnifying-glass; Peep′-sight a plate on the breach with a small hole through which a gunner takes his sight.—Peeping Tom a prying fellow esp. one who peeps in at windows; Peep-o'-day boys a band of Protestants in the north of Ireland in the end of the 18th century—opposed to the Catholic Defenders.
v.i. to chirp or cry as a chicken.—n. the cry of a young chicken.
Editor: Vlad
Examples
- But he suffered Mr Casby to go out, without offering any further remark, and then took a peep at him over the little green window-blinds. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- My hurried inquiry if I might peep in, was answered with a free permission; and, looking through the glass, I saw her sitting at her work. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- There was more agrarian revolt in the north than in the south; the Steel Boys, and later the Peep-o'-Day Boys, were Ulster terrorists. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The journey would moreover give her a peep at Jane; and, in short, as the time drew near, she would have been very sorry for any delay. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- Then Churchill would take a peep at their feet, and laugh again louder than ever. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- Not one little peep, miss? Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- After taking a timid peep at him lying on his back, with his rusty hands under his head for a pillow, his son lay down too, and fell asleep again. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- The fair little face, touched with divine compassion, as it peeped shrinkingly through the grate, was like an angel's in the prison. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Luttrell now peeped his nose into my box, and said, dragging in his better half, half-brother I mean, fat Nugent, A vacancy for two! Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- It was dreadfully improper, I know, but I couldn't resist the temptation, and lifting one end of the curtain before the glass door, I peeped in. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- At a later hour I peeped into the breakfast-room, and the library. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- She peeped into her grandfather's room, through which the fresh autumn air was blowing from the open window. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- There is a skeleton in your cupboard here at Blackwater Park that has peeped out in these last few days at other people besides yourself. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Polly, finding him silent, presently peeped at him. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- We shall make Mr. Pickwick pay for peeping,' said Fogg, with considerable native humour, as he unfolded his papers. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Prying, and peeping, and listening are the natural occupations of people situated as we are. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- They passed very quietly along the yard; for no one was there, though many heads were stealthily peeping from the windows. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- We were peeping at the circus,' muttered Louisa, haughtily, without lifting up her eyes, 'and father caught us. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- And Betteredge, oblivious of all respect for social distinctions, was peeping over Mr. Bruff's shoulder. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- He'll be after the men's cans in the hay-field, and peeping in; and then there'll be an ado because it's not ginger beer, but I can't help it. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- They come peeping, and counting and casting up? George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- I like peeps better than the gulls. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- We flew up, and hid behind the curtains, but sly peeps showed us Fred and the students singing away down below. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- A stealthy glance now and then refreshed her like sips of fresh water after a dusty walk, for the sidelong peeps showed her several propitious omens. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Miss Lavinia peeps in, and tells me mysteriously that she will not be long. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Her gentle tapping at the door producing no response, she opens it and peeps in; seeing no one there, takes possession. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- She starts up of a night and peeps into his room stealthily, to see that he is sleeping and not stolen away. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- The evidence of a bitter hostility between mother and father peeps out in many little things in the histories. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
Checker: Tina