- Peep
- Peep Peep, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Peeped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Peeping}.] [Of imitative origin; cf. OE. pipen, F. piper,
p['e]pier, L. pipire, pipare, pipiare, D. & G. piepen. Senses
2 and 3 perhaps come from a transfer of sense from the sound
which chickens make upon the first breaking of the shell to
the act accompanying it; or perhaps from the influence of
peek, or peak. Cf. {Pipe}.]
1. To cry, as a chicken hatching or newly hatched; to chirp;
to cheep.
[1913 Webster]
There was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped. --Is. x. 14. [1913 Webster]
2. To begin to appear; to look forth from concealment; to make the first appearance. [1913 Webster]
When flowers first peeped, and trees did blossoms bear. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
3. To look cautiously or slyly; to peer, as through a crevice; to pry. [1913 Webster]
eep through the blanket of the dark. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
From her cabined loophole peep. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
{Peep sight}, an adjustable piece, pierced with a small hole to peep through in aiming, attached to a rifle or other firearm near the breech. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
