to peck at

1 definition found

to peck at - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Peck \Peck\, v. i.
     1. To make strokes with the beak, or with a pointed
        instrument. --Carew.
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     2. To pick up food with the beak; hence, to eat.
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              [The hen] went pecking by his side.   --Dryden.
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     To peck at,
        (a) to attack with petty and repeated blows; to carp at;
            to nag; to tease.
        (a) to eat slowly and in small portions, with litle
            interest; as, to peck at one's food.
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