Pry

/praɪ/ verb

Definition

To inquire nosily into someone's private affairs, or to move something with a lever using force.

Etymology

From Old French 'prier' (to request, test) or possibly from Norse 'prýja' (to test), meaning both 'to move forcefully' and 'to inquire nosily' from around the 1300s.

Kelly Says

This word has a clever double meaning—using a crowbar to pry open a door and being a nosy person who pries into secrets both involve forcing something that's trying to stay closed.

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