Advertisement
Advertisement
peck
1[ pek ]
verb (used with object)
- to strike or indent with the beak, as a bird does, or with some pointed instrument, especially with quick, repeated movements.
- to make (a hole, puncture, etc.) by such strokes; pierce.
- to take (food) bit by bit, with or as with the beak.
verb (used without object)
- to make strokes with the beak or a pointed instrument.
noun
- a quick stroke, as in pecking.
- a hole or mark made by or as by pecking.
- a quick, almost impersonal kiss:
a peck on the cheek.
- (in timber) incipient decay from fungi, occurring in isolated spots.
verb phrase
- to nibble indifferently or unenthusiastically at (food).
- to nag or carp at:
Stop pecking at me, I'm doing the best I can.
peck
2[ pek ]
noun
- a dry measure of 8 quarts; the fourth part of a bushel, equal to 537.6 cubic inches (8.81 liters).
- a container for measuring this quantity. : pk, pk.
- a considerable quantity:
a peck of trouble.
Peck
3[ pek ]
noun
- Annie Smith, 1850–1935, U.S. mountain climber.
- Gregory, 1916–2003, U.S. actor.
Peck
1/ ɛ /
noun
- PeckGregory19162003MUSFILMS AND TV: actor Gregory. 1916–2003, US film actor; his films include Keys of the Kingdom (1944), The Gunfighter (1950), The Big Country (1958), To Kill a Mockingbird (1963), The Omen (1976), and Other People's Money (1991)
peck
2/ ɛ /
noun
- a unit of dry measure equal to 8 quarts or one quarter of a bushel
- a container used for measuring this quantity
- a large quantity or number
peck
3/ ɛ /
verb
- whenintr, sometimes foll by at to strike with the beak or with a pointed instrument
- trsometimes foll byout to dig (a hole) by pecking
- tr (of birds) to pick up (corn, worms, etc) by pecking
- introften foll byat to nibble or pick (at one's food)
- informal.to kiss (a person) quickly and lightly
- intrfoll byat to nag
noun
- a quick light blow, esp from a bird's beak
- a mark made by such a blow
- informal.a quick light kiss
Other Word Forms
- ܲ· adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of peck1
Origin of peck2
Word History and Origins
Origin of peck1
Origin of peck2
Example Sentences
Two other key players in tariffs policy were notably absent, prompting one source close to the White House to tell Reuters news agency there had been a "pecking order change".
Competition is high for places in Switzerland, so here are three players who helped their case and three who may have fallen down the pecking order...
Edwards has spoken this week of wanting to regain his belt, but his loss at the O2 Arena means has has slipped further down the pecking order in a competitive division.
The pecking order might change from season to season.
Those chicks are doing well and have both been eating, though sometimes they are too busy pecking at each other to get their food, Steers said.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse