Nearby Words
verb (used with object)
1.
to strike or indent with the beak, as a bird does, or with some pointed instrument, especially with quick, repeated movements.
2.
to make (a hole, puncture, etc.) by such strokes; pierce.
3.
to take (food) bit by bit, with or as with the beak.
verb (used without object)
4.
to make strokes with the beak or a pointed instrument.
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Peck at
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
noun
Verb phrase5.
a quick stroke, as in pecking.
6.
a hole or mark made by or as by pecking.
7.
a quick, almost impersonal kiss: a peck on the cheek.
8.
(in timber) incipient decay from fungi, occurring in isolated spots.
9.
10.
peck at,
a.
to nibble indifferently or unenthusiastically at (food).
b.
to nag or carp at: Stop pecking at me, I'm doing the best I can.
Related forms
un·pecked, adjective
Synonyms
10a. pick at, poke at.
10a. pick at, poke at.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To peck at
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
peck
late 13c., "dry measure of one-quarter bushel," of unknown origin; perhaps connected with O.Fr. pek, picot (13c.), also of unknown origin. Chiefly of oats for horses; original sense may be "allowance" rather than a fixed measure, thus perhaps from peck (v.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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