peck

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++

Related topics: Birds

peck1 /pek/ verb  1  [intransitive, transitive]HBB if a bird pecks something or pecks at something, it makes quick repeated movements with its beak to try to eat part of it, make a hole in it etc 〔鸟〕啄，啄食peck at birds pecking at breadcrumbs on the pavement 在人行道上啄食面包屑的鸟儿 →4  See picture of 见图 BITE 12  peck somebody on the cheek/forehead etc KISSto kiss someone quickly and lightly 匆匆地轻吻某人的面颊/额头等 She pecked her father lightly on the cheek. 她匆匆轻吻了一下父亲的面颊。3 peck at something phrasal verb DFto eat only a little bit of a meal because you are not interested in it or not hungry 吃一点点〔因不喜欢或不饿〕 She pecked at her food in silence. 她默默地吃了几小口。→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

peck• The woodpecker's long beak is specially designed for pecking.• A surprising chaff inch flew down to peck at our crumbs.• Hens pecked at the corn scattered on the ground.• He himself had been but little pecked at.• You peck away at your computer, but it is hard for you to get motivated.• We were woken at the crack of dawn by the pitter patter of seagulls as they pecked for their breakfast.• There was a red mark where the pigeon had pecked her hand.• This means that the rider can help his horse should he peck on landing or hesitate into a fence.• Beneath that principled veneer students were hammering out the usual adolescent pecking order.• Males compete with one another for places in a pecking order.• She pecked our hands for food and glared at us with her red eyes.peck at• Chickens peck at the corn on the ground.

Related topics: Birds

peck2 noun [countable]  1  KISSa quick light kiss 匆匆的轻吻 He gave her a quick peck on the cheek. 他匆匆地轻吻了一下她的脸颊。2. HBBan action in which a bird pecks someone or something with its beak 〔鸟类的〕啄

Examples from the Corpus

peck• Dottie Newland is a peck of fun.• He gave her a really big kiss. Not just a peck on the cheek.• Just a peck on the cheek.• The wife and kids took a peck at the visitor.• Take your child along and let him cat his peck of dirt.• I take the same two-hour bus and tram ride for the same old peck on the cheek.• One peck on the head will kill them.• It takes several pecks for the chick to make a hole in the eggshell.• Not bad, as the consequence of but a single peck!Origin peck1 (1300-1400) Probably from pick peck2 (1600-1700) → PECK1

peck1 verbpeck2 nounChinese  

bird something or if a Corpus pecks

peck

I

peck¹ /pek/ verb
1. [intransitive and transitive] if a bird pecks something or pecks at something, it makes quick repeated movements with its beak to try to eat part of it, make a hole in it etc
    peck at
    birds pecking at breadcrumbs on the pavement
2. peck somebody on the cheek/forehead etc to kiss someone quickly and lightly:
    She pecked her father lightly on the cheek.
     
peck at something phrasal verb
  to eat only a little bit of a meal because you are not interested in it or not hungry:
    She pecked at her food in silence.

II

peck² noun [countable]1. a quick light kiss:
    He gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
2. an action in which a bird pecks someone or something with its beak