Peeped

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Peep \Peep\ (p[=e]p), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Peeped} (p[=e]pt); 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.
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              There was none that moved the wing, or opened the
              mouth, or peeped.                     --Is. x. 14.
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     2. To begin to appear; to look forth from concealment; to
        make the first appearance; as, the sun peeped over the
        eastern hills.
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              When flowers first peeped, and trees did blossoms
              bear.                                 --Dryden.
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     3. To look cautiously or slyly; to peer, as through a
        crevice; to pry.
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              Peep through the blanket of the dark. --Shak.
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              From her cabined loophole peep.       --Milton.
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     {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.
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