peering

¹

[peer-ing]

adjective

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

   We'll build it underground, far from the peering eyes of passersby.

   She risked a peering glance out into the dark corridor.

noun

1. the act of looking narrowly or searchingly, as in the effort to discern clearly.

   For my annual peering into the future, here are a few remarks about the changing economy.

peering

²

[peer-ing]

noun

Computers.

1. an arrangement under which two or more networks are connected so as to route traffic independently in a direct exchange of data.

   The peering of these two large internet providers will bring faster broadband speeds to the island’s east-coast communities.

Other Word Forms

• peeringly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of peering¹

First recorded in 1560–70; peer ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective; peer ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun

Origin of peering²

First recorded in 1985–90; peer ² ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Woo screams, jumping on Autumn’s shoulder and peering at what Ama is scrawling.

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A moment later the lid of the barrel was pried off, revealing a circle of blue sky that was instantly eclipsed by a man, peering in.

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“Which is how I intended to proceed in any case,” she thought, peering above a sea of hats to see where they had stopped, for the omnibus was crowded.

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“So this is a mall,” he said, peering at the list of stores.

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And yet he’s fascinated by the people who just tried to destroy him, drawn to them, eventually peering through their window at a life he wasn’t invited to join.

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Related Words

• inquisitive 
• interested