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Webster 1913 Edition

Peep

Peep

(pēp)
,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Peeped
(pēpt)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Peeping
.]
[Of imitative origin; cf. OE.
pipen
, F.
piper
,
pépier
, L.
pipire
,
pipare
,
pipiare
, D. & G.
piepen
. Senses 2 and 3 perhaps come from a transfer of sense from the sound which chickens make upon the first breaking of the shell to the act accompanying it; or perhaps from the influence of
peek
, or
peak
. Cf.
Pipe
.]
1.
To cry, as a chicken hatching or newly hatched; to chirp; to cheep.
There was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or
peeped
.
Is. x. 14.
2.
To begin to appear; to look forth from concealment; to make the first appearance;
as, the sun
peeped
over the eastern hills
.
When flowers first
peeped
, and trees did blossoms bear.
Dryden.
3.
To look cautiously or slyly; to peer, as through a crevice; to pry.
Peep
through the blanket of the dark.
Shakespeare
From her cabined loophole
peep
.
Milton.
Peep sight
,
an adjustable piece, pierced with a small hole to peep through in aiming, attached to a rifle or other firearm near the breech.

Peep

(pēp)
,
Noun.
1.
The cry of a young chicken; a chirp.
2.
First outlook or appearance.
Oft have we seen him at the
peep
of dawn.
Gray.
3.
A sly look; a look as through a crevice, or from a place of concealment.
To take t’ other
peep
at the stars.
Swift.
4.
(Zool.)
(a)
Any small sandpiper, as the least sandpiper (
Trigna minutilla
).
(b)
The European meadow pipit (
Anthus pratensis
).
Peep show
,
a small show, or object exhibited, which is viewed through an orifice or a magnifying glass.
–
Peep-o'-day boys
,
the Irish insurgents of 1784; – so called from their visiting the house of the loyal Irish at day break in search of arms.
[Cant]

Webster 1828 Edition

Peep

PEEP

,
Verb.
I.
[L. pipio; Heb. to cry out.]
1.
To begin to appear; to make the first appearance; to issue or come forth from concealment, as through a narrow avenue.
I can see his pride
Peep through each part of him.
When flowers first peeped--
2.
To look through a crevice; to look narrowly, closely or slyly.
A fool will peep in at the door.
Thou are a maid and must not peep.
3.
To cry, as chickens; to utter a fine shrill sound, as through a crevice; usually written pip, but without reason, as it is the same word as is here defined, and in America is usually pronounced peep.

PEEP

,
Noun.
First appearance; as the peep of day.
1.
A sly look, or a look through a crevice.
2.
The cry of a chicken.

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