Peacock butterfly (Zoˆl.), a handsome European butterfly (Hamadryas Io)
having ocelli like those of peacock. -- Peacock fish (Zoˆl.), the
European blue-striped wrasse (Labrus variegatus); -- so called on
account of its brilliant colors. Called also cook wrasse and cook. --
Peacock pheasant (Zoˆl.), any one of several species of handsome
Asiatic pheasants of the genus Polyplectron. They resemble the peacock
in color.
Pea"fowl` (?), n. [See Peacock.] (Zoˆl.) The peacock or peahen; any
species of Pavo.
Pe"age (?), n. See Paage.
Pea"grit` (?), n. (Min.) A coarse pisolitic limestone. See Pisolite.
Pea"hen` (?), n. [See Peacock.] (Zoˆl.) The hen or female peafowl.
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 (?), 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, 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.