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intr.v. peered, peer·ing, peers 1. To look intently, searchingly, or with difficulty. See Synonyms at gaze. 2. To be partially visible; show: The moon peered from behind dark clouds. [Sense 1, perhaps a variant of Early Modern English pire (from Middle English piren; perhaps akin to Low German piren, to search closely), Sense 2, perhaps a variant of Early Modern English pear (from Middle English peren. probably alteration of apperen, to appear; see APPEAR).] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. 1. A person who has equal standing with another or others, as in rank, class, or age: children who are easily influenced by their peers. 2. a. A nobleman. b. A man who holds a peerage by descent or appointment. 3. A computer participating in a peer-to-peer network. 4. Archaic A companion; a fellow: "To stray away into these forests drear, / Alone, without a peer" (John Keats). [Middle English, from Old French per, equal, peer, from Latin pār; see perə-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
