peer

1
[ peer ]
See synonyms for: peerpeeredpeeringpeers on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to look narrowly or searchingly, as in the effort to discern clearly.

  2. to peep out or appear slightly.

  1. to come into view.

Origin of peer

1
First recorded in 1560–70; perhaps a variant of appear

synonym study For peer

1. See peep1.

Words Nearby peer

Other definitions for peer (2 of 2)

peer2
[ peer ]

noun
  1. a person of the same legal status: a jury of one's peers.

  2. a person who is equal to another in abilities, qualifications, age, background, and social status.

  1. something of equal worth or quality: a skyscraper without peer.

  2. a member of any of the five degrees of the nobility in Great Britain and Ireland (duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron).

  3. Computers. : See also peer-to-peer (def. 2).

    • a network connected to one or more other networks in a way that routes traffic independently between them in a direct exchange of data.

    • a computer or device that is connected to others in a network, either directly or through a server.

  4. Archaic. a companion.

verb (used without object)
  1. Computers. (of a network) to be connected with one or more other networks in a way that routes traffic independently between them in a direct exchange of data (usually followed by with).

Origin of peer

2
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English per, from Old French per, from Latin pār “equal, an equal, partner”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use peer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for peer (1 of 2)

peer1

/ (pɪə) /


noun
  1. a member of a nobility; nobleman

  2. a person who holds any of the five grades of the British nobility: duke, marquess, earl, viscount, and baron: See also life peer

    • a person who is an equal in social standing, rank, age, etc

    • (as modifier): peer pressure

  1. archaic a companion; mate

Origin of peer

1
C14 (in sense 3): from Old French per, from Latin pār equal

British Dictionary definitions for peer (2 of 2)

peer2

/ (pɪə) /


verb(intr)
  1. to look intently with or as if with difficulty: to peer into the distance

  2. to appear partially or dimly: the sun peered through the fog

Origin of peer

2
C16: from Flemish pieren to look with narrowed eyes

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012