Definition of peel
transitive verb
1 : to strip off an outer layer of peel an orange
2 : to remove by stripping peel the label off the can
intransitive verb
1a : to come off in sheets or scales The paint is peeling.b : to lose an outer layer (as of skin) His face is peeling.
2 : to take off one's clothes it got hotter … you had to peel to get relief — L. M. Uris
3 : to break away from a group or formation —often used with off Like corals, the branches of sponges can peel off and reestablish themselves as new colonies. Natural History
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Examples of peel in a Sentence
They peeled back the sheet to display the new sculpture.
She got sunburned and her back is peeling.
Origin and Etymology of peel
Middle English pelen, from Anglo-French peler, from Latin pilare to remove the hair from, from pilus hair
First Known Use: 13th century
peel
Definition of peel
1 : the skin or rind of a fruit
2 : a thin layer of organic material that is embedded in a film of collodion and stripped from the surface of an object (such as a plant fossil) for microscopic study
3 : chemical peel
Origin and Etymology of peel
see 1peel
First Known Use: 14th century
Other Biology Terms
peel
Definition of peel
: a usually long-handled spade-shaped instrument that is used chiefly by bakers for getting something (such as bread or pies) into or out of the oven
Origin and Etymology of peel
Middle English pele, from Anglo-French, from Latin pala
First Known Use: 14th century
peel
Definition of peel
: a medieval small massive fortified tower along the Scottish-English border —called also peel tower
Origin and Etymology of peel
Middle English (Scots) pel, from Middle English, stockade, stake, from Anglo-French, stake, from Latin palus — more at pole
First Known Use: 1726
Peel
playDefinition of Peel
river 425 miles (684 kilometers) long in northwestern Canada rising in western Yukon (territory) and flowing east and north into the Mackenzie River
PEEL Defined for English Language Learners
peel
playDefinition of peel for English Language Learners
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: to remove the skin from (a fruit, vegetable, etc.)
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: to remove (a covering, shell, etc.) from something
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: to come off in pieces
PEEL Defined for Kids
Definition of peel for Students
peeled
;peeling
1 : to strip off the skin or bark of I'm peeling apples.
2 : to strip or tear off He peeled off his clothes down to his swimming trunks … — Virginia Hamilton, M.C. Higgins
3 : to come off smoothly or in bits The paint is peeling.
peeler
\ˈpē-lər\ nounDefinition of peel for Students
: an outer covering and especially the skin of a fruit
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of peel
1: to strip off an outer layer of
2: to remove (as skin or a blemish) by stripping
1
intransitive verb
: to come off in sheets or scales sunburned skin peels2: to lose an outer layer (as of skin) his face is peeling
Learn More about peel
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See words that rhyme with peel Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for peel Spanish Central: Translation of peel Nglish: Translation of peel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of peel for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about peel
Seen and Heard
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