peat

[ peet ]

/ pit /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR peat ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a highly organic material found in marshy or damp regions, composed of partially decayed vegetable matter: it is cut and dried for use as fuel.

such vegetable matter used as fertilizer or fuel.

Nearby words

peasecod, peasecod breastplate, peasen, peashooter, peasouper, peat, peat bog, peat moss, peat pot, peat reek, peatland

Origin of peat

1300–50; Middle English pete (compare Anglo-Latin peta) < ?

Definition for peat (2 of 2)

peat

[ peet ]

/ pit /

noun Obsolete.

a merry young girl; darling (used as a term of endearment).

Origin of peat

First recorded in 1560–70; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for peat

Twice he took up the matches and dropped them again to light it at the fire, but the peat was burning badly.
Pelle the Conqueror, Complete|Martin Anderson Nexo
When peat moss was first introduced it was strongly recommended for the bedding of pigs.
The Pig|Sanders Spencer
Peat and leaf-mould also answer; but a stiff clay will not do unless it has been cultivated and mixed with lighter stuff.
The Culture of Vegetables and Flowers From Seeds and Roots, 16th Edition|Sutton and Sons
"No, the peat answers their purpose much better," said Will.
St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 5, Nov 1877-Nov 1878|Various

It must not, however, be imagined that the Fen Beds consist wholly or even chiefly of peat.
Notes on the Fenland|T. McKenny Huges

British Dictionary definitions for peat (1 of 2)

peat

/ (piːt) /

noun

a compact brownish deposit of partially decomposed vegetable matter saturated with water: found in uplands and bogs in temperate and cold regions and used as a fuel (when dried) and as a fertilizer
(as modifier)peat bog

a piece of dried peat for use as fuel

Derived Forms

peaty, adjective

Word Origin for peat

C14: from Anglo-Latin peta, perhaps from Celtic; compare Welsh peth thing

British Dictionary definitions for peat (2 of 2)

peat

/ (piːt) /

noun

archaic, derogatory a person, esp a woman

obsolete a term of endearment for a girl or woman

Word Origin for peat

C16: of uncertain origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for peat

peat

[ pēt ]

Partially decayed vegetable matter, especially peat moss, found in bogs. The low levels of oxygen and the acidic environment in bogs prevent the degradation of peat. Peat is burned as fuel and also used as fertilizer. See more at bog.