peak English · revision 4650

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|attested=1530|origins=en pike}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /piːk/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is probably a variant or alteration of [[pike]] “sharp point”,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) perhaps influenced by [[beak]].^(MWU 2024) Hoad takes it instead as a back-formation from peaked, a variant of dialect picked “pointed”, from [[pick]].^(Hoad 1986) In its early uses for a mountain top it rendered Spanish and Portuguese pico.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A pointed or projecting part: 1530 in Barnhart, in Palsgrave,^(Barnhart 1988) where it is the projecting front of a head-dress.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A promontory or headland is from 1548,^(OED 1989) the point of a beard from the 1590s, and the projecting front of a cap from the 1650s.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The pointed top of a mountain is from 1634, though pike had that sense about 1400.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The figurative “highest point” is from 1784, in Cowper,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and the highest point of a varying quantity, or the time of it, by 1902.^(Etymonline) A widow's peak of hair is from 1833.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The verb, to rise in a peak, is from 1577, and the figurative “reach the highest point” not until 1958.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The Derbyshire district called the Peak is older than the common noun.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1530 – a projecting point.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1548 – a headland.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1577 – verb, to rise in a peak.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1634 – a mountain top.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1784 – the highest point, figuratively.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1833 – hair on the forehead.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1902 – the highest value of a quantity.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1958 – verb, to reach the highest point.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The pointed top of a [[mountain]], or the mountain itself.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The point of greatest strength, value or activity.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A pointed part, such as the projecting front of a [[cap]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To reach the highest point.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Busiest or greatest: ''peak hours''.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[peakless]]

+ * [[peaklike]]

+ * [[peakish]]

+ * [[peakishly]]

+ * [[peakishness]]

+ * [[afterpeak]]

+ * [[nonpeak]]

+ * [[forepeak]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[pike]]

+ * [[pick]]

+ * [[beak]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A different verb peak, to grow thin or sickly, is of unknown origin and gives ''peaky'' and ''peaked'' “pale and thin”.^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) In nautical use, to peak oars or a yard is from apeak “held vertically”.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}