peerie

¹ British  

/ ˈpiːrɪ /

noun

1. a spinning top

---

peerie ² British  

/ ˈpiːrɪ /

adjective

1. dialect small

---

Etymology

Origin of peerie¹

C19: perhaps from peir a Scot variant of pear, alluding to the top's shape

Origin of peerie²

C19: of uncertain origin; perhaps from Norwegian dialect piren niggardly, thin

Example Sentences

If I see the sons and daughters of my friends grown old, I also see the grandchildren spinning the peerie and hunkering at I-dree-I-dree—I-droppit-it—as we did so long ago.

From A Window in Thrums by Barrie, J. M. (James Matthew)

It's clear she hasna steeked an e'e a' nicht, and me sleepin' like a peerie.

From Doom Castle by Munro, Neil

Do you remember how the child you once were sat in the brae, spinning the peerie, and hunkering at I-dree I-dree I droppit-it?

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 99, November 15, 1890 by Various

As it happened that year the peerie, or Indian summer, was of unusual length and beauty.

From Jan Vedder's Wife by Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston

We got on fine a while, till Airchie broke my peerie an' pooched the string.

From Bog-Myrtle and Peat Tales Chiefly of Galloway Gathered from the Years 1889 to 1895 by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)