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peel1 definition

peel (pēl)

transitive verb

to cut away or strip off (the rind, skin, covering, surface, etc.) of (anything); pare

Etymology: ME pilien, peolien < OE *pilian < L pilare, to make bald < pilus, hair: see pile

intransitive verb

  1. to shed skin, bark, etc.
  2. to come off in layers or flakes, as old paint
  3. Slang to undress

noun

the rind or skin of fruit

Related Forms:

peel Idioms

peel off

  1. Aeron. to veer away from a flight formation in an abrupt maneuver
  2. Slang
    1. to depart; leave
    2. to go in another direction

peel rubber

or peel tires
Slang to accelerate an automobile very rapidly, as in a drag race
peel2 definition

peel (pēl)

noun

a long shovel-like tool used by bakers for moving bread into and out of the ovens

Etymology: ME pele < OFr < L pala, a spade

peel3 definition

peel (pēl)

noun

a fortified house or tower of a type built during the 16th cent. on the border between Scotland and England

Etymology: ME pel < Anglo-Fr < OFr, a fort, stake < L palus: see pale

Peel definition

Peel (pēl)

Peel, Sir Robert 1788-1850; Brit. statesman: prime minister (1834-35; 1841-46)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
peel Synonyms

peel

n.

skin, peeling, husk, bark, shuck, shell; see also cover 2, skin. See syn. study at skin.


peel

v.

pare, strip, tear off, pull off, flay, uncover, decorticate; see also skin.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

peel Usage Examples

Object

  • potato: Prepare the " Chips " first: Peel the potatoes.

Adjective modifier

  • candied: Plums, currants, almonds, pistachio kernels, candied peel or dried cherries may be added.

Converse of object

  • grate: Top each with equal portions of remaining chicken and ½ tablespoon grated lemon peel.

Noun used with modifier

  • penult: The penult peel goes through to 2 yds in front of rover.
peel usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

peel quotes

Beulah, peel me a grape.

-West, Mae

peel quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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Cite this page:

MLA Style

"peel." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/peel>

APA Style

peel. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/peel

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