Peck
Peck , noun
[Perh. akin to pack; or, orig., an indefinite quantity, and from peck, v. (below): compare also French picotin a peak.]
1.
The fourth part of a bushel; a dry measure of eight quarts; as, a peck of wheat.
A peck of provender.
2.
A great deal; a large or excessive quantity.
A peck of uncertainties and doubts.
Peck (pekt) , transitive verb
[See Pick, v.]
1.
To strike with the beak; to thrust the beak into; as, a bird pecks a tree.
2.
Hence: To strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with a pointed instrument; especially, to strike, pick, etc., with repeated quick movements.
3.
To seize and pick up with the beak, or as with the beak; to bite; to eat; -- often with up. — Addison
This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas.
4.
To make, by striking with the beak or a pointed instrument; as, to peck a hole in a tree.
Peck , intransitive verb
1.
To make strokes with the beak, or with a pointed instrument. — Carew
2.
To pick up food with the beak; hence, to eat.
[The hen] went pecking by his side.
Collocations (1)
To peck at , (a) to attack with petty and repeated blows; to carp at; to nag; to tease. (a) to eat slowly and in small portions, with litle interest; as, to peck at one's food.
Peck (pek) , noun
A quick, sharp stroke, as with the beak of a bird or a pointed instrument.