Peep — Defs

01 v. i. To cry, as a chicken hatching or newly hatched; to chirp; to cheep.

imp. & p. p. Peeped; p. pr. & vb. n. Peeping

1.
To cry, as a chicken hatching or newly hatched; to chirp; to cheep.
“There was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.” — Is. x. 14.
2.
To begin to appear; to look forth from concealment; to make the first appearance; as, the sun peeped over the eastern hills.
“When flowers first peeped, and trees did blossoms bear.” — Dryden.
3.
To look cautiously or slyly; to peer, as through a crevice; to pry.
“Peep through the blanket of the dark.” — Shak.

“From her cabined loophole peep.” — Milton.

Phrases & compounds

Peep sight — an adjustable piece, pierced with a small hole to peep through in aiming, attached to a rifle or other firearm near the breech.

02 n. The cry of a young chicken; a chirp.

1.
The cry of a young chicken; a chirp.
2.
First outlook or appearance.
“Oft have we seen him at the peep of dawn.” — Gray.
3.
A sly look; a look as through a crevice, or from a place of concealment.
“To take t' other peep at the stars.” — Swift.
4.
Any small sandpiper, as the least sandpiper (Trigna minutilla).(Zool.)

Phrases & compounds

Peep show — a small show, or object exhibited, which is viewed through an orifice or a magnifying glass.

Peep-o'-day boys — the Irish insurgents of 1784; -- so called from their visiting the house of the loyal Irish at day break in search of arms.