peek

Definition

To look slyly, or with the eyes half closed, or through a crevice; to peep.

Etymology

From Middle English *peken, piken, pyken (“to peep”), probably a fusion of Middle English pepen (“to peep”) and keken, kiken (“to keek, look, spy”), equivalent to a blend of peep + keek. Perhaps also possibly a metathetic alteration of Middle English kepen, kipen, kypen (“to keep, look, observe, watch”).

Example Sentences

• "Close your eyes, and no peeking!"
• "A pale strip of white skin peeked out from under his waistband."
• "Her brown skin peeked through the empty gap in her clothing."