peck

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A peck is a small bite or taste of food.

When we talk about birds, a peck is also a quick strike with their beaks. But in everyday life, when someone says "take a peck at it", they mean to try just a little bit of something new - maybe some food, a hobby, or even a conversation topic. It's an invitation to dip your toe in the water and see if you like it. For example, "Take a peck at that spicy dish, is it too hot for you?"

How common is "peck"?

Word peck is considered rare in modern English.
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.

Definitions

verb

(ambitransitive) To strike or pierce with the beak or bill (of a bird).
Example: The birds pecked at their food.
(transitive) To form by striking with the beak or a pointed instrument.
Example: to peck a hole in a tree
To strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with a pointed instrument, especially with repeated quick movements.
To seize and pick up with the beak, or as if with the beak; to bite; to eat; often with up.
To do something in small, intermittent pieces.
Example: He has been pecking away at that project for some time now.
To type by searching for each key individually.
(rare) To type in general.
To kiss briefly.

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Real examples of "peck" in context

Guest Hosts Ryan Reynolds & Hugh Jackman Interview Each Other

Entertainment

We'll be back. Welcome back. Emma Corrin of Music from Oval Peck and Noah Cyrus is on the way.

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peck

How common is "peck"?

verb

Real examples of "peck" in context

Guest Hosts Ryan Reynolds & Hugh Jackman Interview Each Other

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