Peck — Defs

01 n. The fourth part of a bushel; a dry measure of eight quarts; as, a peck of wheat.

1.
The fourth part of a bushel; a dry measure of eight quarts; as, a peck of wheat.
2.
A great deal; a large or excessive quantity.

02 v. t. To strike with the beak; to thrust the beak into; as, a bird pecks a tree.

imp. & p. p. Pecked; p. pr. & vb. n. Pecking

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.
“This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas.” — Shak.
4.
To make, by striking with the beak or a pointed instrument; as, to peck a hole in a tree.

03 v. i. To make strokes with the beak, or with a pointed instrument.

1.
To make strokes with the beak, or with a pointed instrument.
2.
To pick up food with the beak; hence, to eat.
“[The hen] went pecking by his side.” — Dryden.

Phrases & compounds

To peck at — to attack with petty and repeated blows; to carp at; to nag; to tease.

04 n. A quick, sharp stroke, as with the beak of a bird or a pointed instrument.