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peep¹

(pēp)

intr.v. peeped, peep·ing, peeps

1. To utter short, soft, high-pitched sounds, like those of a baby bird; cheep.

2. To speak in a hesitant, thin, high-pitched voice.

1. A short, soft, high-pitched sound or utterance, like that of a baby bird.

2. A slight sound or utterance: I don't want to hear a peep out of you.

3. Any of various small North American sandpipers.

[Middle English *pepen, probably alteration of pipen, from Old English pīpian, to pipe, from pīpe, tube, musical instrument, and from Latin pīpāre, to peep; see PIPE.]

peep²

(pēp)

v. peeped, peep·ing, peeps

v.intr.

1. To peek furtively; steal a quick glance.

2. To peer through a small aperture or from behind something.

3. To appear as though emerging from a hiding place: the moon peeping through the clouds.

v.tr.

To cause to emerge or become partly visible: He peeped his head through the door.

1. A quick or furtive look or glance.

2. A first glimpse or appearance: the peep of dawn.

[Middle English pepen, perhaps alteration of piken, to peek; see PEEK.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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