I. peck 1 /pek/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Origin: Probably from pick ]
1 . [intransitive and transitive] if a bird pecks something or pecks at something, it makes quick repeated movements with its beak to try to eat part of it, make a hole in it etc
peck at
birds pecking at breadcrumbs on the pavement
2 . peck somebody on the cheek/forehead etc to kiss someone quickly and lightly:
She pecked her father lightly on the cheek.
peck at something phrasal verb
to eat only a little bit of a meal because you are not interested in it or not hungry:
She pecked at her food in silence.
II. peck 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Origin: ⇨ ↑ peck 1 ]
1 . a quick light kiss:
He gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
2 . an action in which a bird pecks someone or something with its beak