verb (used without object)
- to look through a small opening or from a concealed location.
- to look slyly, pryingly, or furtively.
- to look curiously or playfully.
- to come partially into view; begin to appear: the first crocuses peeping through the snow-covered ground.
verb (used with object)
- to show or protrude slightly.
noun
- a quick or furtive look or glance.
- the first appearance, as of dawn.
- an aperture for looking through.
noun
- a short, shrill little cry or sound, as of a young bird; cheep; squeak.
- any of various small sandpipers.
- a slight sound or remark, especially in complaint: I don’t want to hear a peep out of any of you!
verb (used without object)
- to utter the short, shrill little cry of a young bird, a mouse, etc.; cheep; squeak.
- to speak in a thin, weak voice.
verb (intr)
- to look furtively or secretly, as through a small aperture or from a hidden place
- to appear partially or brieflythe sun peeped through the clouds
noun
- a quick or furtive look
- the first appearancethe peep of dawn
verb (intr)
- (esp of young birds) to utter shrill small noises
- to speak in a thin shrill voice
noun
- a peeping sound
- US any of various small sandpipers of the genus Calidris (or Erolia) and related genera, such as the pectoral sandpiper
v.1“glance” (especially through a small opening), mid-15c., perhaps alteration of Middle English piken (see peek (v.)). Peeping Tom “a curious prying fellow” [Grose] is from 1796; connection with Lady Godiva story dates only from 1837. v.2“make a short chirp,” c.1400, probably altered from pipen (mid-13c.), ultimately imitative (cf. Latin pipare, French pepier, German piepen, Lithuanian pypti, Czech pipati, Greek pipos). n.11520s, first in sense found in peep of day, from peep (v.1); meaning “a furtive glance” is first recorded 1730. n.2“short chirp,” early 15c., from peep (v.2); meaning “slightest sound or utterance” (usually in a negative context) is attested from 1903. Meaning “young chicken” is from 1680s. The marshmallow peeps confection are said to date from 1950s. abbr.
- positive end-expiratory pressure
see hear a peep out of.