peak

Everyday

1. A peak is the pointed top of a mountain, or a mountain with a pointed top. tree →
2. A peak is the highest point or level of something, like the peak of a graph. tree →
3. To peak is to reach the highest point. tree →
4. Peak describes the busiest or best time, like peak hours. tree →
5. The peak of a cap is the stiff part that sticks out at the front. tree →
6. Peaked can describe a hat or roof that has a pointed top. tree →

In the lessons

In geography, mountain peaks are shown on maps with height in metres. In maths and science, the peak of a line graph is its highest value. In everyday life, trains are crowded and dearer at peak times; off-peak is cheaper. Phrases: "at its peak", "peak time", "peak season", "snow-capped peaks".

Examples

• We climbed to the peak of the mountain. tree →
• Snow covered the peaks. tree →
• The graph shows a peak on Saturday. tree →
• Shops are busiest at peak times. tree →
• The temperature peaked at thirty degrees. tree →
• He was at the peak of his career. tree →
• Pull the peak of your cap down to shade your eyes. tree →
• Immediately there rose out of the earth, goodness knows whence,[220] high, ever so high mountains, their peaks touching the sky. tree →

Note

Homophones: "peek" (a quick look) and "pique" (to make curious, as in "pique your interest"). In maths, the peak is the highest value; the lowest is the trough or minimum.

In Jewish tradition

Here "mountains of peaks" describes Bashan's many-pointed hills, which look proud and tall.

Interpretation. The tradition reads the psalm as saying that the tall mountains of Bashan are jealous because God chose the small hill of Zion for His home.

Examples

• A mountain of God is the mountain of Bashan; a mountain of peaks is the mountain of Bashan. (Writings PSA.68.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Why look ye askance, ye mountains of peaks, at the mountain which God hath desired for His abode? (Writings PSA.68.17, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Homophones: "peek" (a quick look) and "pique" (to make curious, as in "pique your interest"). In maths, the peak is the highest value; the lowest is the trough or minimum.