11 dictionary results for: pry
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
pry1
[prahy] Pronunciation Key verb, pried, pry·ing, noun, plural pries.
[prahy] Pronunciation Key verb, pried, pry·ing, noun, plural pries. –verb (used without object)
–noun
| 1. | to inquire impertinently or unnecessarily into something: to pry into the personal affairs of others. |
| 2. | to look closely or curiously; peer; peep. |
| 3. | an impertinently inquisitive person. |
| 4. | an act of prying. |
[Origin: 1275–1325; ME pryen, prien < ?
]
]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
pry2
[prahy] Pronunciation Key verb, pried, pry·ing, noun, plural pries.
[prahy] Pronunciation Key verb, pried, pry·ing, noun, plural pries. –verb (used with object)
–noun
| 1. | to move, raise, or open by leverage. |
| 2. | to get, separate, or ferret out with difficulty: to pry a secret out of someone; We finally pried them away from the TV. |
| 3. | a tool, as a crowbar, for raising, moving, or opening something by leverage. |
| 4. | the leverage exerted. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| pry 1
(prī) Pronunciation Key
intr.v. pried (prīd), pry·ing, pries (prīz) To look or inquire closely, curiously, or impertinently: was always prying into the affairs of others. n. pl. pries (prīz)
[Middle English prien.] |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| pry 2
(prī) Pronunciation Key
tr.v. pried (prīd), pry·ing, pries (prīz)
n. pl. pries (prīz) Something, such as a crowbar, that is used to apply leverage. [Alteration of prize3.] |
(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
pry (1)
pry (1)
"look inquisitively," 1307, from prien "to peer in," of unknown origin, perhaps from O.E. bepriwan "to wink."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
pry (2)
pry (2)
"raise by force," 1823 (originally also a noun, "an instrument for prying, a crowbar"), alteration of prize (as though it were a plural) in obsolete sense of "lever" (c.1300), from O.Fr. prise "a taking hold, grasp" (see prize (n.2)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| pry | |
noun | |
| 1. | a heavy iron lever with one end forged into a wedge [syn: crowbar] |
verb | |
| 1. | to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open; "The burglar jimmied the lock": "Raccoons managed to pry the lid off the garbage pail" |
| 2. | be nosey; "Don't pry into my personal matters!" |
| 3. | search or inquire in a meddlesome way; "This guy is always nosing around the office" [syn: intrude] |
| 4. | make an uninvited or presumptuous inquiry; "They pried the information out of him" |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Pry
Pry\, n. [Corrupted fr. prize a lever. See Prize, n.] A lever; also, leverage. [Local, U. S. & Eng.] Pry pole, the pole which forms the prop of a hoisting gin, and stands facing the windlass.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Pry
Pry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pried; p. pr. & vb. n. Prying.] To raise or move, or attempt to raise or move, with a pry or lever; to prize. [Local, U. S. & Eng.]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Pry
Pry\, v. i. [OE. prien. Cf. Peer to peep.] To peep narrowly; to gaze; to inspect closely; to attempt to discover something by a scrutinizing curiosity; -- often implying reproach. " To pry upon the stars." --Chaucer. Watch thou and wake when others be asleep, To pry into the secrets of the state. --Shak.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Pry
Pry\, n. Curious inspection; impertinent peeping.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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