peck

Definitions

1. 1.A great deal; a large or excessive quantity. "A peck of uncertainties and doubts." Milton.
2. 2.To strike with the beak; to thrust the beak into; as, a bird pecks a tree.
3. 3.Hence: To strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with a pointed instrument; especially, to strike, pick, etc., with repeated quick movements.
4. 4.To seize and pick up with the beak, or as with the beak; to bite; to eat; -- often with up. Addison. This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas. Shak.
5. 5.To make, by striking with the beak or a pointed instrument; as, to peck a hole in a tree.
6. 6.To make strokes with the beak, or with a pointed instrument. Carew.
7. 7.To pick up food with the beak; hence, to eat. [The hen] went pecking by his side. Dryden. To peck at, to attack with petty and repeated blows; to carp at; to nag; to tease.
8. 8.A quick, sharp stroke, as with the beak of a bird or a pointed instrument.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Related questions

• What does "peck" mean?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is peck.

• What is a great deal; a large or excessive quantity. "A peck of uncertainties and doubts." Milton called?
• What is to strike with the beak; to thrust the beak into; as, a bird pecks a tree called?
• What is hence: To strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with a pointed instrument; especially, to strike, pick, etc., with repeated quick movements called?
• What is to seize and pick up with the beak, or as with the beak; to bite; to eat; -- often with up. Addison. This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas. Shak called?
• What is to make, by striking with the beak or a pointed instrument; as, to peck a hole in a tree called?
• What is to make strokes with the beak, or with a pointed instrument. Carew called?
• What is to pick up food with the beak; hence, to eat. [The hen] went pecking by his side. Dryden. To peck at, to attack with petty and repeated blows; to carp at; to nag; to tease called?
• What is a quick, sharp stroke, as with the beak of a bird or a pointed instrument called?