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Peep vs Whisper - What's the difference?

peep | whisper | Synonyms |

Peep is a synonym of whisper.


As an acronym peep

is (slang) a world war ii jeep attached to an armored regiment.

As a noun whisper is

the act of speaking in a quiet voice, especially, without vibration of the vocal cords.

As a verb whisper is

to speak softly, or under the breath, so as to be heard only by one near at hand; to utter words without sonant breath; to talk without that vibration in the larynx which gives sonorous, or vocal, sound.

peep

English

Etymology 1

Onomatopoeic, from (etyl) pepen

Noun

(en noun)
  • A quiet sound, particularly one from a baby bird.
  • A feeble utterance or complaint.
    • I don't want to hear a peep out of you !
  • The sound of a steam engine's whistle; typically shrill.
    • 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."
  • A kind of bird; a sandpiper.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make a soft, shrill noise like a baby bird.
  • To speak briefly with a quiet voice.

    • Etymology 2

    From (etyl)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • 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.
    • Hypernyms
    * glance

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • 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.}}

    Derived terms

    * bo-peep * by-peep * peeper, peepers * peep pixels * peep show * peeping tom * pixel peeper

    Etymology 3

    Of uncertain origin

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) A spot on a die or domino.
    • Synonyms
    * (spot on die or domino) pip

    Etymology 4

    , a shortened form of people.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (British, slang) person.
    • English onomatopoeias English palindromes

    whisper

    English

    Noun

    (Whispering) (en noun)
  • The act of speaking in a quiet voice, especially, without vibration of the vocal cords.
  • * 1883 , :
    • "Now, look here, Jim Hawkins," he said, in a steady whisper , that was no more than audible.
  • (usually in plural) A rumor.
    • There are whispers of rebellion all around.
  • (figurative) A faint trace or hint (of something).
    • The soup had just a whisper of basil.
  • (internet) A private message to an individual in a chat room.
  • * 2002 , Ralph Schroeder, The Social Life of Avatars (page 218)
    • The invisibility of private interactions in the form of whispers resolved an ethical concern in the research but reduced our ability to gauge the volume of interaction
  • * 2004 , Caroline A. Haythornthwaite, Michelle M. Kazmer, Learning, Culture and Community in Online Education (page 179)
    • Anyone logged in to the chat room can click on an individual name, highlighting it, and send a message — a whisper — that will be seen only by the selected person.

    Derived terms

    * stage whisper * whisper campaign

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To speak softly, or under the breath, so as to be heard only by one near at hand; to utter words without sonant breath; to talk without that vibration in the larynx which gives sonorous, or vocal, sound.
  • To mention privately and confidentially, or in a whisper.
  • * Bentley
    • They might buzz and whisper it one to another.
  • To make a low, sibilant sound.
  • * Thomson
    • the hollow, whispering breeze
  • To speak with suspicion or timorous caution; to converse in whispers, as in secret plotting.
  • * Bible, Psalms xli. 7
    • All that hate me whisper together against me.
  • (obsolete) To address in a whisper, or low voice.
  • * Shakespeare
    • and whisper one another in the ear
  • * Keble
    • where gentlest breezes whisper souls distressed
  • (obsolete) To prompt secretly or cautiously; to inform privately.
  • * Shakespeare
    • He came to whisper Wolsey.