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pecking order Definition

pecking order

noun

  1. a hierarchy among birds, as a flock of hens, based on aggressive pecking in which the most dominant bird pecks all others, the second most dominant bird pecks all others except the most dominant, etc.
  2. social organization in which status is determined by aggressive awareness of rank, income, etc.

Etymology: calque of Ger hackordnung

Browse dictionary entries near pecking order

  1. peckerwood
  2. pecker
  3. peck
  4. Pechora
  5. peccavi
  6. peccary
  7. peccant
  8. peccancy
  9. peccadillo
  10. peccable
  1. peckish
  2. Pecksniffian
  3. pecky
  4. pecorino
  5. pecorino (cheese)
  6. Pecos
  7. Pecos Bill
  8. pecs
  9. pectase
  10. pectate