peer

Everyday

1. To peer means to look very carefully or with difficulty at something, often narrowing your eyes or leaning forward. tree →
2. Your peers are people of the same age, class or level as you, such as your classmates. tree →
3. (UK) A peer is a member of the nobility, such as a lord, who may sit in the House of Lords. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, «peer» shows someone looking hard through fog, darkness or a small gap. In school talk, «peers» means classmates; «peer pressure» is when friends push you to do something, and «peer assessment» is when pupils mark each other's work. In UK citizenship lessons, peers sit in the House of Lords. Phrases: «peer into/at/through», «peer pressure», «peer review», «peer mentor», «your peers».

Examples

• She peered through the keyhole. tree →
• Grandpa peered at the tiny writing on the box. tree →
• We peered into the dark cave. tree →
• Don't give in to peer pressure. tree →
• Today we'll do peer marking: swap books with your partner. tree →
• He was taller than most of his peers. tree →
• A lord is a peer in the House of Lords. tree →
• The owl peered down from the branch. tree →
• The little Mole peered at it. tree →

Note

Verb: peer, peered, peering; followed by a preposition (peer at, into, through). Noun: countable (one peer, many peers). Homophone: «pier» (a long platform going out into the sea). Trap: peer (look hard) is not the same as «peek» (quick look) or «peep».

In Jewish tradition

Here it means to look out through a window by leaning forward and straining to see.

Interpretation. Sisera's mother looks out waiting for her son. The tradition sees a sad picture of an enemy's hope that never comes true.

Examples

• Through the window she looked forth, and peered, the mother of Sisera, through the lattice: 'Why is his chariot so long in coming? (Prophets JDG.5.28, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Verb: peer, peered, peering; followed by a preposition (peer at, into, through). Noun: countable (one peer, many peers). Homophone: «pier» (a long platform going out into the sea). Trap: peer (look hard) is not the same as «peek» (quick look) or «peep».