peer

¹ American  

[peer] / pɪər /

verb (used without object)

1. to look narrowly or searchingly, as in the effort to discern clearly.

2. to peep out or appear slightly.

3. to come into view.

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peer ² American  

[peer] / pɪər /

noun

1. a person of the same legal status.

   a jury of one's peers.

2. a person who is equal to another in abilities, qualifications, age, background, and social status.

3. something of equal worth or quality.

   a skyscraper without peer.

4. a nobleman.

5. a member of any of the five degrees of the nobility in Great Britain and Ireland (duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron).

6. Computers.

   1. a network connected to one or more other networks in a way that routes traffic independently between them in a direct exchange of data.

   2. a computer or device that is connected to others in a network, either directly or through a server.

7. Archaic. a companion.

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verb (used without object)

1. Computers. (of a network) to be connected with one or more other networks in a way that routes traffic independently between them in a direct exchange of data (usually followed bywith ).

peer ¹ British  

/ pɪə /

noun

1. a member of a nobility; nobleman

2. a person who holds any of the five grades of the British nobility: duke, marquess, earl, viscount, and baron See also life peer

3. 1. a person who is an equal in social standing, rank, age, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      peer pressure

4. archaic a companion; mate

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peer ² British  

/ pɪə /

verb

1. to look intently with or as if with difficulty

   to peer into the distance

2. to appear partially or dimly

   the sun peered through the fog

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Related Words

See peep ¹.

Etymology

Origin of peer¹

First recorded in 1560–70; perhaps a variant of appear

Origin of peer²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English per, from Old French per, from Latin pār “equal, an equal, partner”

Example Sentences

Published in the peer reviewed journal Nutrients, the analysis brings together more than two decades of research on pecans.

From Science Daily

She felt she had to constantly “maintain an image,” including among her peers, that she was “not bothered by anything and just confident,” which was exhausting, she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Its members, who included both sports law experts and former Olympic athletes, want SafeSport to receive full federal funding, bringing the U.S. model closer to the way sports ministries work in many peer countries.

From Salon

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the reforms will help end the "one-size-fits-all system" which she says has "denied" children from disadvantaged backgrounds the same success as their peers.

From BBC

While he has achieved remarkable success, many of his peers have struggled to broaden their appeal.

From BBC

Related Words

• gape
• gawk
• give the eagle eye
• glare
• peep
• snoop
• squint
• stare