peep sight

American

noun

a plate containing a small hole through which a gunner peeps in sighting.

peep sight British

noun

an adjustable rear gun sight with a narrow aperture through which the target and the front sight are aligned when aiming

"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

Etymology

Origin of peep sight

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When it stepped behind a tree, Gates drew only to find that the peep sight inserted into the bow string and through which she would aim was twisted.

From Washington Times

The No. 6 single shot has tapered barrel, case-hardened frame, genuine walnut stock and fore-end, rifle butt plate, rear and tang peep sight.

From Project Gutenberg

Through the peep sight in my Mannlicher the animal was perfectly visible, and when I fired, the bull dropped like lead, rolling over and over down the hill.

From Project Gutenberg

We had a match at target, distance 90 feet, with 22-calibre Stephens rifle; he used globe and peep sight, I used open sights.

From Project Gutenberg

By peep sight is meant the use of the peep hole in the drift slide.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023