Peen, pēn, n. the end of a hammer-head, usually shaped for indenting.—v.t. to strike with such. [Ger. pinne.]
Peenge, pēnj, v.i. (Scot.) to complain childishly.
Peep, pēp, v.i. to chirp, or cry as a chicken.—n. the cry of a young chicken. [Fr. piper—L. pipāre.]
Peep, pēp, v.i. to look through a narrow opening: to look out from concealment: to look slyly or cautiously: to begin to appear.—n. a sly look: a beginning to appear, a glimpse: a narrow view, a slit.—ns. Peep′er, one that peeps: a prying person: a chicken just breaking the shell: (slang) the eye; Peep′-hole, a hole through which one may look without being seen; Peep′-o'-day, the first appearance of light in the morning; Peep′-show, a small show viewed through a small hole, usually fitted with a magnifying-glass; Peep′-sight, a plate on the breach with a small hole through which a gunner takes his sight.—Peeping Tom, a prying fellow, esp. one who peeps in at windows; Peep-o'-day boys, a band of Protestants in the north of Ireland, in the end of the 18th century—opposed to the Catholic Defenders. [Same as above, Fr. piper, to chirp like a bird, then to beguile, whence peep=to look out slyly.]
Peer, pēr, n. an equal in rank, ability, character, &c.: an associate: a nobleman: a member of the House of Lords:—fem. Peer′ess.—n. Peer′age, the rank or dignity of a peer: the body of peers: a book containing a description of the history, connections, &c. of the different peers.—adj. Peer′less, having no peer or equal: matchless.—adv. Peer′lessly.—n. Peer′lessness.—House of Peers, the House of Lords; Spiritual peer, one of the bishops or archbishops qualified to sit as members of the House of Lords; Temporal peer, one of the members of the House of Lords, other than the bishops. [O. Fr. (Fr. pair),—L. par, paris, equal.]
Peer, pēr, v.i. to look narrowly or closely: to peep: to appear:—pa.t. and pa.p. peered.—adj. Peer′y, prying, sly. [M. E. piren—Low Ger. piren, orig. pliren, to draw the eyelids together.]
Peerie, Peery, pēr′i, n. a top spun with a string.
Peevers, pēv′ers, n. (Scot.) the game of hop-scotch.
Peevish, pēv′ish, adj. habitually fretful: easily annoyed: hard to please: showing ill-nature: childish.—adv. Peev′ishly.—n. Peev′ishness. [Prob. imit. of the puling of fretful infants.]
Peewit. Same as Pewit.