To look quickly or secretly through a small opening or from a hidden place. Can also refer to making a short, high-pitched sound.
Middle English 'pepen', possibly imitative of the sound made by young birds. The visual sense developed from the idea of looking briefly, like a bird poking its head out.
The dual meaning of 'peep' beautifully captures how young birds both make tiny sounds and poke their heads up to look around. This connection between sound and sight in one word reflects how we often associate brief, tentative actions across different senses.
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