■ noun
1》 a relish consisting of vegetables or fruit preserved in vinegar, brine, or mustard.
↘ N. Amer. a cucumber preserved in this way.
↘liquid used to preserve food or other perishable items.
2》 ( a ~ ) informal a difficult situation.
3》 an acid solution for cleaning metal objects.
■ verb
1》 preserve (food) in ~.
2》 immerse (a metal object) in an acid solution for cleaning.
3》 [as adjective ~d ] informal drunk.
Derivatives
~r noun
Origin
ME: from MDu., Mid. Low Ger. pekel , of unknown ultimate origin.