51Թ

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peck

1

[ pek ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to strike or indent with the beak, as a bird does, or with some pointed instrument, especially with quick, repeated movements.
  2. to make (a hole, puncture, etc.) by such strokes; pierce.
  3. to take (food) bit by bit, with or as with the beak.


verb (used without object)

  1. to make strokes with the beak or a pointed instrument.

noun

  1. a quick stroke, as in pecking.
  2. a hole or mark made by or as by pecking.
  3. a quick, almost impersonal kiss:

    a peck on the cheek.

  4. (in timber) incipient decay from fungi, occurring in isolated spots.
  5. pecks. Also 𳦰iԲ. Slang. food; grub.

verb phrase

    1. to nibble indifferently or unenthusiastically at (food).
    2. to nag or carp at:

      Stop pecking at me, I'm doing the best I can.

peck

2

[ pek ]

noun

  1. a dry measure of 8 quarts; the fourth part of a bushel, equal to 537.6 cubic inches (8.81 liters).
  2. a container for measuring this quantity. : pk, pk.
  3. a considerable quantity:

    a peck of trouble.

Peck

3

[ pek ]

noun

  1. Annie Smith, 1850–1935, U.S. mountain climber.
  2. Gregory, 1916–2003, U.S. actor.

Peck

1

/ ɛ /

noun

  1. 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)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

peck

2

/ ɛ /

noun

  1. a unit of dry measure equal to 8 quarts or one quarter of a bushel
  2. a container used for measuring this quantity
  3. a large quantity or number
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

peck

3

/ ɛ /

verb

  1. whenintr, sometimes foll by at to strike with the beak or with a pointed instrument
  2. trsometimes foll byout to dig (a hole) by pecking
  3. tr (of birds) to pick up (corn, worms, etc) by pecking
  4. introften foll byat to nibble or pick (at one's food)
  5. informal.
    to kiss (a person) quickly and lightly
  6. intrfoll byat to nag
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a quick light blow, esp from a bird's beak
  2. a mark made by such a blow
  3. informal.
    a quick light kiss
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ܲ·𳦰 adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of peck1

1300–50; Middle English pekken, peke, from Middle Dutch pecken, Middle Low German pekken; akin to pick 1

Origin of peck2

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English pek(ke); of uncertain origin
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of peck1

C13: from Anglo-Norman, of uncertain origin

Origin of peck2

C14: of uncertain origin; compare pick 1, Middle Low German pekken to jab with the beak
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

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.

From

The pecking order might change from season to season.

From

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.

From

When the dancers leaped off the stage and into the audience for the big finale, Debbie and I eagerly waved one- and five-dollar bills in exchange for a quick hug or peck on the cheek.

From

But for now, Scott appears to be at the top of their pecking order, with the chance to potentially strengthen his grip on a ninth-inning role this spring.

From

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