American Dictionary of the English Language

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Websters Dictionary 1828


This online edition has been carefully prepared in a special format. All words, definitions, and examples have been preserved, but the explanations of word origins have been left out to make the data easier to use in a digital format. We have also removed Webster's long technical introduction for the same reason.

Scripture references have been converted to a modern format, and many abbreviations have been expanded to make them easier to understand.

Word of the Day

Peep

PEEP, verb intransitive [Latin pipio; Heb. to cry out.]

1. To begin to appear; to make the first appearance; to issue or come forth from concealment, as through a narrow avenue.

I can see his pride

PEEP through each part of him.

When flowers first peeped--

2. To look through a crevice; to look narrowly, closely or slyly.

A fool will peep in at the door.

Thou are a maid and must not peep

3. To cry, as chickens; to utter a fine shrill sound, as through a crevice; usually written pip, but without reason, as it is the same word as is here defined, and in America is usually pronounced peep

PEEP, noun First appearance; as the peep of day.

1. A sly look, or a look through a crevice.

2. The cry of a chicken.

First Occurrence in the Bible(KJV): Isaiah 8:19