Peeped vs Peeper - What's the difference?
peeped | peeper |
(peep)
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.}}
(colloquial, chiefly, in the plural) The eye.
Someone who peeps; a spy.
* J. Webster
An animal, such as some frogs, that have a shrill, high-pitched call.
(dated, slang, derogatory) A private detective.
(colloquial) A chicken just breaking the shell; a young bird.
A peeping tom.
As a verb peeped
is past tense of peep.As a noun peeper is
the eye.peeped
English
Verb
(head)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.peeper
English
Noun
(en noun)- Check out the gorgeous peepers on that guy!
- Who's there? peepers , eavesdroppers?