peck

/pek/
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peck

A small bird pecks at seeds on a windowsill.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A unit of dry volume: A peck is a unit of dry volume, equal to 8 quarts or approximately 8.81 liters in the US customary system, and 2 gallons in the British imperial system.
    • A light, quick kiss: A peck can refer to a brief, light kiss.
    • A quick, sharp strike with a beak: The act of a bird striking or picking at something with its beak.
    • (Informal) A large amount: A large but indefinite quantity of something, often used in the phrase "a peck of".

  2. Verb:

    • To strike or pick up with a beak: The action of a bird using its beak to hit, pick at, or eat something.
    • To kiss lightly and quickly: To give someone a brief, light kiss.
    • To eat food in small, tentative bites: To eat very little or without enthusiasm, picking at one's food.
    • To make by striking with a pointed tool: To strike or chip at something with a pointed instrument.
Examples

  • Noun:

    • She bought a peck of apples at the market.
    • He gave her a quick peck on the cheek before leaving.
    • The chicken gave a sharp peck to the seed.

  • Verb:

    • The sparrow pecked at the breadcrumbs.
    • He pecked his daughter on the forehead.
    • She just pecked at her salad, not feeling hungry.
Advanced Usage

  • "a peck of trouble": A lot of problems or difficulties.

    • The new software update caused a peck of trouble for the IT department.

  • "pecking order": The hierarchy of status or authority among a group of people or animals.

    • It took the new employee a while to understand the office pecking order.
Variants and Related Words
  • Pecker (n, informal): A bird that pecks; also a slang term for courage or nerve (e.g., "Keep your pecker up" meaning stay cheerful).
  • Peckish (adj, chiefly British): Slightly hungry.
    • I'm feeling a bit peckish; let's have a snack.
Synonyms
  • Noun (kiss): Smooch, buss (informal).
  • Verb (strike with beak): Pick, jab, poke.
  • Verb (eat sparingly): Nibble, pick at.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Peck at:
    • To eat food in small, unenthusiastic bites.
      • The child just pecked at his dinner.
    • To criticize someone repeatedly about minor issues.
      • His boss is always pecking at him for tiny mistakes.
Related Idioms
  • "Hens peck": A proverbial saying implying that problems or criticisms are often small and numerous.
    • Dealing with customer complaints is like hens peck—constant and petty.
  • "Peck and perch" (archaic): Refers to basic necessities like food and shelter.
    • The job doesn't pay much, but it provides peck and perch.
peck

A small bird pecks at seeds on a windowsill.

Noun
  1. a United States dry measure equal to 8 quarts or 537.605 cubic inches
  2. a British imperial capacity measure (liquid or dry) equal to 2 gallons
  3. (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
    • a batch of letters
    • a deal of trouble
    • a lot of money
    • he made a mint on the stock market
    • see the rest of the winners in our huge passel of photos
    • it must have cost plenty
    • a slew of journalists
    • a wad of money
Verb
  1. bother persistently with trivial complaints
    • She nags her husband all day long
  2. eat like a bird
    • The anorexic girl just picks at her food
  3. kiss lightly
  4. eat by pecking at, like a bird
  5. hit lightly with a picking motion

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