1. v.intr.
1. (usu. foll. by into, at, etc.) look keenly or with difficulty (peered into the fog).
2 appear; peep out.
3 archaic come into view.
Etymology: var. of pire, LG piren; perh. partly f. APPEAR 2. n. & v.
--n.
1. a (fem. peeress) a member of one of the degrees of the nobility in Britain, i.e. a duke, marquis, earl, viscount, or baron. b a noble of any country.
2 a person who is equal in ability, standing, rank, or value; a contemporary (tried by a jury of his peers).
--v.intr. & tr. (usu. foll. by with) rank or cause to rank equally.
Phrases and idioms:
peer group a group of people of the same age, status, interests, etc. peer of the realm (or the United Kingdom) any of the class of peers whose adult members may all sit in the House of Lords.
Derivatives:
peerless adj.
Etymology: ME f. AF & OF pe(e)r, perer f. LL pariare f. L par equal