Looked quickly or secretly at something, especially through a small opening or gap; past tense of 'peep.'
From Middle English 'pepen,' of imitative origin — the sound 'peep' mimics a quick glance or a bird sound. The word has meant both 'to look quickly' and 'to make a small sound' since the 1300s.
The word 'peep' is wonderfully onomatopoetic — it sounds like what it means! 'Peep' the verb (to look) and 'peep' the noun (a bird sound) are related because both are quick, small actions.
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