n.
Pronunciation: ' p ē l
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English pelen, from Anglo-French peler, from Latin pilare to remove the hair from, from pilus hair
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 : to strip off an outer layer of < peel an orange>
2 : to remove by stripping < peel the label off the can>
intransitive verb
1 a : to come off in sheets or scales b : to lose an outer layer (as of skin) <his face is peel ing >
2 : to take off one's clothes
3 : to break away from a group or formation ― often used with off
– peel · able \ ' p ē -l ə -b ə l \ adjective