Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Peak?

\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. 3. [Cf. {Peek}.] To pry; to peep slyly. --Shak. {Peak arch} (Arch.), a pointed or Gothic arch.
\Peak\, v. t. (Naut.) To raise to a position perpendicular, or more nearly so; as, to peak oars, to hold them upright; to peak a gaff or yard, to set it nearer the perpendicular.