peck

[ pek ]

/ pɛk /

See synonyms for peck on Thesaurus.com

noun

a dry measure of 8 quarts; the fourth part of a bushel, equal to 537.6 cubic inches (8.81 liters).

a container for measuring this quantity. Abbreviation: pk, pk.

a considerable quantity: a peck of trouble.

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Origin of peck

1250–1300; Middle English pek<Old French < ?

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH peck

pecks , pecs

Words nearby peck

peccavi, pech, pêche Melba, Pechenga, Pechora, peck, pecker, peckerwood, pecking order, Peckinpah, peckish

Definition for peck (2 of 3)

peck²

[ pek ]

/ pɛk /

verb (used with object)

to strike or indent with the beak, as a bird does, or with some pointed instrument, especially with quick, repeated movements.

to make (a hole, puncture, etc.) by such strokes; pierce.

to take (food) bit by bit, with or as with the beak.

verb (used without object)

to make strokes with the beak or a pointed instrument.

noun

a quick stroke, as in pecking.

a hole or mark made by or as by pecking.

a quick, almost impersonal kiss: a peck on the cheek.

(in timber) incipient decay from fungi, occurring in isolated spots.

pecks. Also peckings. Slang. food.

Verb Phrases

peck at,

to nibble indifferently or unenthusiastically at (food).
to nag or carp at: Stop pecking at me, I'm doing the best I can.

SYNONYMS FOR peck

10a pick at, poke at.

See synonyms for peck on Thesaurus.com

Origin of peck

1300–50; Middle English pecke<Middle Dutch pecken; akin to pick¹

OTHER WORDS FROM peck

un·pecked, adjective

Definition for peck (3 of 3)

Peck

[ pek ]

/ pɛk /

noun

Annie Smith, 1850–1935, U.S. mountain climber.

Gregory, 1916–2003, U.S. actor.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for peck

We see Peck's character change and at the same time we see the awesome size of the forces he's up against.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Digital birds that peck you to pieces, a disabled graffiti master who works by brainwaves.
Frickin’ Laser Beams Run by Eyeballs: The Next Art Revolution Is Here|Nico Hines|July 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The intimacy of the contrasting figures in the painting represented to Peck the love he had for his longtime wife, Veronique Peck.
Gregory Peck's Fernand Leger Hits The Block|William O’Connor|May 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When little Shona Ritchie plucked up the courage to ask for a peck from Prince William, the future king was happy to oblige.
A Kiss From a Prince? Maybe Not....|Tom Sykes|April 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Peck keeps his dignity even as he remembers friends and family back home, now dead.
Shawn Ryan’s Favorite War Movies|Shawn Ryan|September 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He weighs out de meat, three pound for de week, and he measure a peck of meal.
Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves|Work Projects Administration
This Mr. Peck was a man of note, as one of the early settlers of Illinois, and one of its first missionaries.
The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt|Parley Parker Pratt
Having seen no Indian meal for sometime, I bought half a peck, paying at the rate of two dollars per bushel.
My First Campaign|J. W. Grant
"Be quiet, Peck, you are safe," answered the young captain soothingly.
Boys of The Fort|Ralph Bonehill
They peck the Apples, to eat the Kernels, so that the Fruit rots and perishes.
A New Voyage to Carolina|John Lawson

British Dictionary definitions for peck (1 of 3)

peck¹

/ (pɛk) /

noun

a unit of dry measure equal to 8 quarts or one quarter of a bushel

a container used for measuring this quantity

a large quantity or number

Word Origin for peck

C13: from Anglo-Norman, of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for peck (2 of 3)

peck²

/ (pɛk) /

verb

(when intr, sometimes foll by at) to strike with the beak or with a pointed instrument

(tr sometimes foll by out) to dig (a hole) by pecking

(tr) (of birds) to pick up (corn, worms, etc) by pecking

(intr often foll by at) to nibble or pick (at one's food)

informal to kiss (a person) quickly and lightly

(intr foll by at) to nag

noun

a quick light blow, esp from a bird's beak

a mark made by such a blow

informal a quick light kiss

Word Origin for peck

C14: of uncertain origin; compare pick 1, Middle Low German pekken to jab with the beak

British Dictionary definitions for peck (3 of 3)

Peck

/ (pɛk) /

noun

Gregory. 1916–2003, US film actor; his films include Keys of the Kingdom (1944), The Gunfighter (1950), The Big Country (1958), To Kill a Mockingbird (1963), The Omen (1976), and Other People's Money (1991)

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

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Origin of peck

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH peck

Words nearby peck