Peep vs Observe - What's the difference?
peep | observe | Related terms |
A quiet sound, particularly one from a baby bird.
A feeble utterance or complaint.
The sound of a steam engine's whistle; typically shrill.
A kind of bird; a sandpiper.
To look, especially while trying not to be seen or noticed.
:
*
*:And it was while all were passionately intent upon the pleasing and snake-like progress of their uncle that a young girl in furs, ascending the stairs two at a time, peeped perfunctorily into the nursery as she passed the hallway—and halted amazed.
*{{quote-book, year=1959, author=(Georgette Heyer), title=(The Unknown Ajax), chapter=1
, passage=But Richmond
To begin to appear; to look forth from concealment; to make the first appearance.
*(John Dryden) (1631-1700)
*:When flowers first peeped , and trees did blossoms bear.
A quick look or glimpse, especially a furtive one.
* {{quote-book
, year=1907
, title=(The Spell of the Yukon and Other Verses)
, author=Robert W. Service
, chapter=(The Cremation of Sam McGee)
, passage=I was sick with dread, but I bravely said: "I'll just take a peep inside. / I guess he's cooked, and it's time I looked";. . . then the door I opened wide.}}
(lb) To notice or view, especially carefully or with attention to detail.
:
*1892 , (Arthur Conan Doyle),
*:“One horse?” interjected Holmes. ¶ “Yes, only one.” ¶ “Did you observe the colour?”
*{{quote-magazine, date=2013-03, author=Frank Fish, George Lauder
, volume=101, issue=2, page=114, magazine=(American Scientist)
, title= (lb) To follow or obey the custom, practice, or rules (especially of a religion).
:
*Bible, (w)
*:Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread.
*{{quote-news, year=2011, date=November 10, author=Jeremy Wilson, work=Telegraph
, title= (lb) To comment on something; to make an observation.
:
*
*:Elbows almost touching they leaned at ease, idly reading the almost obliterated lines engraved there. ¶ ("I never) understood it," she observed , lightly scornful. "What occult meaning has a sun-dial for the spooney? I'm sure I don't want to read riddles in a strange gentleman's optics."
As verbs the difference between peep and observe
is that peep is to make a soft, shrill noise like a baby bird while observe is to notice or view, especially carefully or with attention to detail.As a noun peep
is a quiet sound, particularly one from a baby bird.As an acronym PEEP
is a World War II jeep attached to an armored regiment.peep
English
Etymology 1
Onomatopoeic, from (etyl) pepenNoun
(en noun)- I don't want to hear a peep out of you !
- 2001 , , Thomas the tank engine collection : a unique collection of stories from the railway series - p. 177 - Egmont Books, Limited, Aug 15, 2001
- "Peep', ' peep ," said Edward, "I'm ready."
- "Peep', '''peep''', ' peep ," said Henry, "so am I."
Etymology 2
From (etyl)Verb
(en verb)Hypernyms
* glanceNoun
(en noun)Derived terms
* bo-peep * by-peep * peeper, peepers * peep pixels * peep show * peeping tom * pixel peeperEtymology 3
Of uncertain originSynonyms
* (spot on die or domino) pipEtymology 4
, a shortened form of people.observe
English
Verb
(observ)Not Just Going with the Flow, passage=An extreme version of vorticity is a vortex . The vortex is a spinning, cyclonic mass of fluid, which can be observed in the rotation of water going down a drain, as well as in smoke rings, tornados and hurricanes.}}
England Under 21 5 Iceland Under 21 0: match report, passage=A sell-out crowd of 10,000 then observed perfectly a period of silence before the team revealed their black armbands, complete with stitched-in poppies, for the match. After Fifa’s about-turn, it must have been a frantic few days for the England kit manufacturer. The on-field challenge was altogether more straightforward. }}