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peck¹

(pĕk)

v. pecked, peck·ing, pecks

v.tr.

1. To strike with the beak or a pointed instrument.

2. To make (a hole, for example) by striking repeatedly with the beak or a pointed instrument.

3. To grasp and pick up with the beak: The bird pecked insects from the log.

4. Informal To kiss briefly and casually.

v.intr.

1. To make strokes with the beak or a pointed instrument.

2. To eat in small sparing bits; nibble: He pecked at his dinner.

3. To make repeated criticisms; carp: pecked at the kitchen staff.

a. A stroke or light blow with the beak or a pointed instrument.

b. A mark or hole made by such a stroke.

2. Informal A light quick kiss.

[Middle English pecken, probably variant of piken, to peck (perhaps influenced by Middle Low German pekken); see PICK¹.]

peck²

(pĕk)

1. Abbr. pk.

a. A unit of dry volume or capacity in the US Customary System equal to 8 quarts or approximately 537.6 cubic inches.

b. A unit of dry volume or capacity in the British Imperial System equal to 8 quarts or approximately 554.8 cubic inches.

2. A container holding or measuring a peck.

3. Informal A large quantity; a lot: a peck of troubles.

[Middle English.]

Peck

(pĕk), (Eldred) Gregory 1916-2003.

American actor noted for his portrayals of strong and courageous characters in films such as Moby Dick (1956) and To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), for which he won an Academy Award.

Peck (pĕk), Annie Smith 1850-1935.

American explorer and mountain climber. Her most notable ascents include the volcano Popocatépetl in Mexico (1897) and Huascarán in the Peruvian Andes (1908).

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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