peck

peck

peck¹ [pek]

vt.

[ME pecken, var. of picken,PICK³, in specialized senses]

1. to strike with a pointed object, as with a beak

2. to make by doing this [to peck a hole]

3. to pick up with the beak; get by pecking

vi.

to make strokes as with a pointed object

n.

1. a stroke so made, as with the beak

2. a mark made as by pecking

3. Informal a quick, casual kiss [a peck on the forehead]

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peck at

1. to make a pecking motion at

2. Informal to eat very little of; eat carefully or sparingly

3. Informal to criticize or find fault with constantly

peck² [pek]

n.

[ME pek < OFr, prob. < ML bika, liquid measure, ult. < Gr bikos, wine jar: see BEAKER]

1. a unit of dry measure, equal to ¹/ ₄ bushel or 8 dry quarts (8.8096 dry liters or 0.3111 cubic foot): abbrev. pk

2. any container with a capacity of one peck

3. Informal a large amount, as of trouble