peep

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Archived revision by DCDuring (talk | contribs) as of 20:31, 21 December 2019.
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See also: peeps, Peep, and PEEP

English

Pronunciation

  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL. enPR: pēp, IPA(key): /piːp/
  • Lua error in Module:parameters at line 95: Parameter 1 should be a valid language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL. IPA(key): /pip/, [pʰip]
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -iːp

Etymology 1

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle English pepen. Compare Dutch piepen (“peep”), German Low German piepen (“to peep”), German piepen and pfeifen, all probably onomatopoeic.

Noun

peep (plural peeps)

  1. A quiet sound, particularly one from a baby bird.
  2. A feeble utterance or complaint.
    I don't want to hear a peep out of you!
  3. The sound of a steam engine's whistle; typically shrill.
    • 2001, Rev. W. Awdry, Thomas the tank engine collection : a unique collection of stories from the railway series - p. 177 - Egmont Books, Limited, Aug 15, 2001
      "Peep, peep," said Edward, "I'm ready."
      "Peep, peep, peep," said Henry, "so am I."
  4. A kind of bird; a sandpiper.
Translations
sandpiper — see sandpiper

Verb

peep (third-person singular simple present peeps, present participle peeping, simple past and past participle peeped)

  1. To make a soft, shrill noise like a baby bird.
  2. To speak briefly with a quiet voice.
Translations

Etymology 2

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle English pepen, variant of piken

Verb

peep (third-person singular simple present peeps, present participle peeping, simple past and past participle peeped)

  1. (intransitive) To look, especially through a narrow opening, or while trying not to be seen or noticed.
    The man peeped through the small hole.
    • Template:RQ:Chmbrs YngrSt
      And it was while all were passionately intent upon the pleasing and snake-like progress of their uncle that a young girl in furs, ascending the stairs two at a time, peeped perfunctorily into the nursery as she passed the hallway—and halted amazed.
    • 1959, Georgette Heyer, chapter 1, in The Unknown Ajax:
      But Richmond […] appeared to lose himself in his own reflections. Some pickled crab, which he had not touched, had been removed with a damson pie; and his sister saw, peeping around the massive silver epergne that almost obscured him from her view, that he had eaten no more than a spoonful of that either.
  2. (intransitive) To begin to appear; to look forth from concealment; to make the first appearance.
    • (Can we date this quote by John Dryden and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
      When flowers first peeped, and trees did blossoms bear.
  3. (transitive, MLE) To take a look at; check out.
    Did you peep that video I sent you?
Hypernyms
Translations

Noun

peep (plural peeps)

  1. A quick look or glimpse, especially a furtive one.
  2. The first partial appearance of something; a beginning to appear.
    the peep of day
Translations

Derived terms

Etymology 2: Terms derived from the verb or noun peep

Template:rel-mid3

Template:rel-mid3

Etymology 3

Of uncertain origin; perhaps variant of pip

Noun

peep (plural peeps)

  1. (obsolete) A spot on a die or domino.
Synonyms
  • (spot on die or domino): pip

Etymology 4

Back-formation from peeps, a shortened form of people.

Noun

peep (plural peeps)

  1. (British, slang) person.
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