Category:Peck

Peck, n. Etym: [perh. akin to pack; or, orig., an indefinite Quantity, and fr. peck, v. (below): cf. also f. picotin a peak.]

1. The fourth part of a bushel; a dry measure of eight quarts; as, a Peck of wheat. "a peck of provender." Shak.

2. A great deal; a large or excessive quantity. "a peck of Uncertainties and doubts." Milton.

Peck Peck, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pecked; p. pr. & vb. n. Pecking.] Etym: [see pick, v.]

1. To strike with the beak; to thrust the beak into; as, a bird pecks A tree.

2. Hence: to strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with a Pointed instrument; especially, to strike, pick, etc., with repeated Quick movements.

3. To seize and pick up with the beak, or as with the beak; to bite; To eat; -- often with up. Addison. This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas. Shak.

4. To make, by striking with the beak or a pointed instrument; as, to Peck a hole in a tree.

Peck Peck, v. i.

1. To make strokes with the beak, or with a pointed instrument. Carew.

2. To pick up food with the beak; hence, to eat. [the hen] went pecking by his side. Dryden. To peck at, to attack with petty and repeated blows; to carp at; to Nag; to tease.

Peck Peck, n.

Defn: a quick, sharp stroke, as with the beak of a bird or a pointed Instrument.