| 释义 |
▪ I. pire, v. Obs. exc. dial.
Also 9 pyre.
[ME. piren, identical in form and sense with LG. (in Brem. Wbch.) and EFris. pîren, of unknown origin.
The same sense is expressed in mod. Eng. by peer v., which is not known before 1590. Their phonetic relation is difficult to understand; but cf. the pairs kike, keek, pike, peek, pipe, peep, pile, peel, also pike n., peek, now peak, which present similar problems. Some have suggested that LG. pîren was a variant of plîren, plüren, with similar sense; but this is unlikely.]
intr. To look narrowly, esp. in order to discern something indistinct or difficult to make out; to peer.
1390Gower Conf. III. 29 Riht so doth he, whan that he pireth [rime tireth] And toteth on hire wommanhiede. 1399Langl. Rich. Redeles iii. 48 Thanne cometh..Anoþer proud partriche..And preuyliche pirith till þe dame passe. c1400Beryn 552 Go vp..& loke, & in the asshis pire. Ibid. 1412 They herd all his compleynt, þat petouse was to here, ffawnus in-to the Chirch pryuelych gan pire. 1854A. E. Baker Northampt. Gloss., Pyring..Always used in combination with peeping, as, ‘peeping and pyring about’. ‘Peeping and pyring into every body's business’.
▪ II. pire
var. perry1, Obs., pear-tree; obs. f. pier. |