from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Peer \Peer\ (p[=e]r), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Peered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Peering}.] [OF. parir, pareir equiv. to F. para[^i]tre to
appear, L. parere. Cf. {Appear}.]
1. To come in sight; to appear. [Poetic]
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So honor peereth in the meanest habit. --Shak.
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See how his gorget peers above his gown! --B.
Jonson.
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2. [Perh. a different word; cf. OE. piren, LG. piren. Cf.
{Pry} to peep.] To look narrowly or curiously or intently;
to peep; as, the peering day. --Milton.
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Peering in maps for ports, and piers, and roads.
--Shak.
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As if through a dungeon grate he peered.
--Coleridge.
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