peck

¹peck

noun \ˈpek\

Definition of PECK

1

: a unit of capacity equal to ¹⁄₄ bushel — see weight table

2

: a large quantity or number

Origin of PECK

Middle English pek, from Anglo-French

First Known Use: 13th century

Other Weights and Measures Terms

avoirdupois weight, calorie, denier, kip, pace, twain

Rhymes with PECK

beck, Cech, check, Czech, deck, dreck, Eck, fleck, heck, Lech, lek, neck, pec, reck, sec, sneck, spec, speck, trek, wreak, wreck

²peck

verb

Definition of PECK

transitive verb

1

a : to strike or pierce especially repeatedly with the bill or a pointed tool

b : to make by pecking <peck a hole>

2

: to pick up with the bill

intransitive verb

1

a : to strike, pierce, or pick up something with or as if with the bill

b : carp, nag

2

: to eat reluctantly and in small bites <peck at food>

Examples of PECK

1. The hen pecked my finger.
2. The woodpecker pecked a hole in the tree.
3. He pecked his wife on the cheek as he headed out the door.

Origin of PECK

Middle English, perhaps from Middle Low German pekken

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PECK

Synonyms

nibble, pick

Related Words

graze, nosh, snack; taste

Near Antonyms

gorge, gormandize, overeat, pig out, swill

³peck

noun

Definition of PECK

1

: an impression or hole made by pecking

2

: a quick sharp stroke

3

: a quick light kiss <a peck on the cheek>

First Known Use of PECK

circa 1591