Peacock butterfly
(Zoöl.),
a handsome European butterfly (Hamadryas Io) having ocelli like those of
peacock. — Peacock fish (Zoöl.), the European blue-striped wrasse (Labrus variegatus); — so called
on account of its brilliant colors. Called also cook wrasse and cook. — Peacock pheasant (Zoöl.),
any one of several species of handsome Asiatic pheasants of the genus Polyplectron. They resemble
the peacock in color.
Peafowl
(Pea"fowl`) n. [See Peacock.] (Zoöl.) The peacock or peahen; any species of Pavo.
Peage
(Pe"age) n. See Paage.
Peagrit
(Pea"grit`) n. (Min.) A coarse pisolitic limestone. See Pisolite.
Peahen
(Pea"hen`) n. [See Peacock.] (Zoöl.) The hen or female peafowl.
Pea-jacket
(Pea"-jack`et) n. [Prob. fr. D. pij, pije, a coat of a coarse woolen stuff.] A thick loose woolen
jacket, or coat, much worn by sailors in cold weather.
Peak
(Peak) n. [OE. pek, AS. peac, perh of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. peac a sharp- pointed thing. Cf. Pike.]
1. A point; the sharp end or top of anything that terminates in a point; as, the peak, or front, of a cap.
"Run your beard into a peak." Beau. & Fl.
2. The top, or one of the tops, of a hill, mountain, or range, ending in a point; often, the whole hill or
mountain, esp. when isolated; as, the Peak of Teneriffe.
Silent upon a peak in Darien.
Keats. 3. (Naut.) (a) The upper aftermost corner of a fore-and-aft sail; — used in many combinations; as,
peak-halyards, peak-brails, etc. (b) The narrow part of a vessel's bow, or the hold within it. (c) The
extremity of an anchor fluke; the bill. [In the last sense written also pea and pee.]
Fore peak.
(Naut.) See under Fore.
Peak
(Peak), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Peaked ; p. pr. & vb. n. Peaking.]
1. To rise or extend into a peak or point; to form, or appear as, a peak.
There peaketh up a mighty high mount.
Holand. 2. To acquire sharpness of figure or features; hence, to look thin or sicky. "Dwindle, peak, and pine."
Shak.
3. [Cf. Peek.] To pry; to peep slyly. Shak.
Peak arch (Arch.),
a pointed or Gothic arch.
Peak
(Peak), v. t. (Naut.) To raise to a position perpendicular, or more nearly so; as, to peak oars, to
hold them upright; to peak a gaff or yard, to set it nearer the perpendicular.
Peaked
(Peaked) a.
1. Pointed; ending in a point; as, a peaked roof.
2. (Oftener ) Sickly; not robust. [Colloq.]
Peaking
(Peak"ing) a.