peck

/pek/

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The word "peck" can be understood in different ways, depending on whether it is used as a noun or a verb. Let's break it down:

As a Noun:

1. Measurement:

   • In the United States, a "peck" is a dry measure that equals 8 quarts, or about 537.605 cubic inches.
   • In British measurements, a "peck" can also refer to a capacity measure (liquid or dry) that equals 2 gallons.
   • Example: "We bought a peck of apples from the orchard."

2. Large Number/Amount:

   • It can also mean a large number or a significant amount of something.
   • Example: "She has a peck of problems to deal with."

3. Batch:

   • A "peck" can refer to a batch of items, like letters or photos.
   • Example: "I received a peck of letters in the mail today."

As a Verb:

1. Light Touch:

   • To "peck" means to hit lightly or to kiss someone gently. It often describes how birds eat or how someone might kiss.
   • Example: "The bird began to peck at the seeds on the ground."

2. Eat Little:

   • It can also mean to eat small amounts, usually associated with someone who eats very little.
   • Example: "She only pecks at her food during dinner."

3. Bother Persistently:

   • "Peck" can mean to annoy someone with constant, trivial complaints.
   • Example: "He pecks at his friends with silly questions all the time."

Advanced Usage:

• In a more figurative sense, you might hear "pecking order," which refers to the hierarchy in a group, where some individuals have more power or status than others.

Word Variants:

• The noun and verb forms are the primary variants of the word "peck."

Different Meanings:

• Besides the measurement and eating habits, "peck" can describe a trivial annoyance or nagging behavior.

Synonyms:

• For the noun meaning a large quantity: "batch," "lot," or "bunch."
• For the verb meaning to hit lightly: "tap," "poke," or "kiss lightly."
• For the verb meaning to eat little: "nibble," "pick," or "graze."

Idioms:

• "Pecking away at something" means to work slowly or steadily on a task, often in small increments.

Phrasal Verbs:

• The word "peck" does not commonly combine with other words to create phrasal verbs.

Summary:

"Peck" is a versatile word that can refer to a measurement, a large amount, or various actions like eating little or bothering someone.

Academic

Noun

1. a United States dry measure equal to 8 quarts or 537.605 cubic inches
2. a British imperial capacity measure (liquid or dry) equal to 2 gallons
3. (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
   • a batch of letters
   • a deal of trouble
   • a lot of money
   • he made a mint on the stock market
   • see the rest of the winners in our huge passel of photos
   • it must have cost plenty
   • a slew of journalists
   • a wad of money

Verb

1. bother persistently with trivial complaints
   • She nags her husband all day long
2. eat like a bird
   • The anorexic girl just picks at her food
3. kiss lightly
4. eat by pecking at, like a bird
5. hit lightly with a picking motion

Synonyms

• batch
• nag
• hen-peck
• pick at
• peck at
• smack
• pick up
• pick
• beak