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Definition of peat - 4 dictionary results

peat

1[peet]
–noun
1. a highly organic material found in marshy or damp regions, composed of partially decayed vegetable matter: it is cut and dried for use as fuel.
2. such vegetable matter used as fertilizer or fuel.

Origin:
1300–50; ME pete (cf. AL peta) < ?

peat

2[peet]
–noun Obsolete.
a merry young girl; darling (used as a term of endearment).

Origin:
1560–70; orig. uncert.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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peat   (pēt)   
n.  Partially carbonized vegetable matter, usually mosses, found in bogs and used as fertilizer and fuel.

[Middle English pete, perhaps from Medieval Latin peta.]
peat'y adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Science Dictionary
peat   (pēt)  Pronunciation Key 
Partially decayed vegetable matter, especially peat moss, found in bogs. The low levels of oxygen and the acidic environment in bogs prevent the degradation of peat. Peat is burned as fuel and also used as fertilizer. See more at bog.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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