Perking

1 definition found

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

  Perk \Perk\ (p[~e]rk), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perked} (p[~e]rkt);
     p. pr. & vb. n. {Perking}.] [Cf. W. percu to trim, to make
     smart.]
     To make trim or smart; to straighten up; to erect; to make a
     jaunty or saucy display of; as, to perk the ears; to perk up
     one's head. --Cowper. --Sherburne.


     [1913 Webster]
  
     {to perk up one's ears} to begin to listen attentively; --
        usually used when something of interest is mentioned in
        some discourse, after one's attention had lapsed; as, he
        perked up his ears when he heard his name mentioned.
        [PJC]