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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
also peel out
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 © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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