peck

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 ~ (at sth) (of birds) to move the beak forward quickly and hit or bite sth: [V] A robin was pecking at crumbs on the ground. * Hens pecked around in the yard. * [VN] A bird had pecked a hole in the sack. * Vultures had pecked out the dead goat's eyes. 2 [VN] ~ sb (on sth) (informal) to kiss sb lightly and quickly: He pecked her on the cheek as he went out. * She pecked his cheek. IDIOMS a / the pecking order (informal, often humorous) the order of importance in relation to one another among the members of a group: New Zealand is at the top of the pecking order of rugby nations. * to be first in the pecking order PHRASALVERBS peck at sth to eat only a very small amount of a meal because you are not hungry: She sat nervously pecking at her food. noun 1 (informal) a quick kiss: He gave her a friendly peck on the cheek. 2 an act of pecking sb/sth: The budgerigar gave a quick peck at the seed.