Library / English Dictionary

PEEP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A secret look

Synonyms:

peek; peep

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("peep" is a kind of...):

look; looking; looking at (the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually)

Derivation:

peep (look furtively)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The short weak cry of a young bird

Synonyms:

cheep; peep

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("peep" is a kind of...):

cry (the characteristic utterance of an animal)

Derivation:

peep (make high-pitched sounds)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Appear as though from hiding

Example:

the new moon peeped through the tree tops

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "peep" is one way to...):

appear (come into sight or view)

Sentence frame:

Something is ----ing PP

Sense 2

Meaning:

Speak in a hesitant and high-pitched tone of voice

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "peep" is one way to...):

mouth; speak; talk; utter; verbalise; verbalize (express in speech)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sense 3

Meaning:

Make high-pitched sounds

Example:

the birds were chirping in the bushes

Synonyms:

cheep; chirp; chirrup; peep

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "peep" is one way to...):

emit; let loose; let out; utter (express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words))

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "peep"):

chitter; twitter (make high-pitched sounds, as of birds)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Derivation:

peep (the short weak cry of a young bird)

peeper (an animal that makes short high-pitched sounds)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Cause to appear

Example:

he peeped his head through the window

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Hypernyms (to "peep" is one way to...):

show (make visible or noticeable)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 5

Meaning:

Look furtively

Example:

He peeped at the woman through the window

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Hypernyms (to "peep" is one way to...):

look (perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

peep (a secret look)

peeper (a viewer who enjoys seeing the sex acts or sex organs of others)

Credits

 Context examples: 

He did not mean to show it, I am sure, but it was so strongly in his mind that it peeped out at every action.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

We saw him peep over them and give a gesture of amazement.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I found Adele peeping through the schoolroom door, which she held ajar.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

“I’ll merely peep over the bow and see.”

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

I saw a square hole, through which doubtless the host may peep when he is not too sure of those who knock.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I went over to it softly, and peeped out by the corner of the blind.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Edith, after a peep into the men's bunk-room, returned to the table.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

From the front window upon the left of the door there peeped a glimmer of a feeble light.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"Well," said the woman, after thinking it over and taking another peep at the Lion, "if that is the case you may come in, and I will give you some supper and a place to sleep."

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

Also, with quick, critical eye, she noted a scar on his cheek, another that peeped out from under the hair of the forehead, and a third that ran down and disappeared under the starched collar.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)