Peep /(pēp)/

Peep

v. i.

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.
  3. To look cautiously or slyly; to peer, as through a crevice; to pry.
    Peep through the blanket of the dark.
    From her cabined loophole peep.

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.

Peep

n.
  1. The cry of a young chicken; a chirp.
  2. First outlook or appearance.
    Oft have we seen him at the peep of dawn.
  3. A sly look; a look as through a crevice, or from a place of concealment.
    To take t' other peep at the stars.
  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.