[syn: pry, prise]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Pry \Pry\, v. i. [OE. prien. Cf. Peer to peep.]
To peep narrowly; to gaze; to inspect closely; to attempt to
discover something by a scrutinizing curiosity; -- often
implying reproach. " To pry upon the stars." --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
Watch thou and wake when others be asleep,
To pry into the secrets of the state. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Pry \Pry\, n.
Curious inspection; impertinent peeping.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Pry \Pry\, n. [Corrupted fr. prize a lever. See Prize, n.]
A lever; also, leverage. [Local, U. S. & Eng.]
[1913 Webster]
Pry pole, the pole which forms the prop of a hoisting gin,
and stands facing the windlass.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Pry \Pry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pried; p. pr. & vb. n.
Prying.]
To raise or move, or attempt to raise or move, with a pry or
lever; to prize. [Local, U. S. & Eng.]
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
pry
n 1: a heavy iron lever with one end forged into a wedge [syn:
crowbar, wrecking bar, pry, pry bar]
v 1: to move or force, especially in an effort to get something
open; "The burglar jimmied the lock": "Raccoons managed to
pry the lid off the garbage pail" [syn: pry, prise,
prize, lever, jimmy]
2: be nosey; "Don't pry into my personal matters!"
3: search or inquire in a meddlesome way; "This guy is always
nosing around the office" [syn: intrude, horn in, pry,
nose, poke]
4: make an uninvited or presumptuous inquiry; "They pried the
information out of him" [syn: pry, prise]