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peck1 definition

peck (pek)

transitive verb

  1. to strike with a pointed object, as with a beak
  2. to make by doing this to peck a hole
  3. to pick up with the beak; get by pecking

Etymology: ME pecken, var. of picken, pick, in specialized senses

intransitive verb

to make strokes as with a pointed object

noun

  1. a stroke so made, as with the beak
  2. a mark made as by pecking
  3. Informal a quick, casual kiss a peck on the forehead
peck Idioms

peck at

  1. to make a pecking motion at
  2. Informal to eat very little of; eat carefully or sparingly
  3. Informal to criticize or find fault with constantly
peck2 definition

peck (pek)

noun

  1. a unit of dry measure, equal to bushel or 8 dry quarts (8.8096 dry liters or 0.3111 cubic foot): abbrev. pk
  2. any container with a capacity of one peck
  3. Informal a large amount, as of trouble

Etymology: ME pek < OFr, prob. < ML bika, liquid measure, ult. < Gr bikos, wine jar: see beaker

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments (1) Add Your Comment

4 pecks equal 1 bushel

Posted by anonymous 65 days ago.

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