Peak (?), n. [OE. pek, AS. peac, perh of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. peac a sharp-pointed thing. Cf. Pike.] 1. A point; the sharp end or top of anything that terminates in a point; as, the peak, or front, of a cap. "Run your beard into a peak."
Beau. & Fl.
2. The top, or one of the tops, of a hill, mountain, or range, ending in a point; often, the whole hill or mountain, esp. when isolated; as, the Peak of Teneriffe.
Silent upon a peak in Darien.
Keats.
3. Naut. (a) The upper aftermost corner of a fore-and-aft sail; -- used in many combinations; as, peak-halyards, peak-brails, etc. (b) The narrow part of a vessel's bow, or the hold within it. (c) The extremity of an anchor fluke; the bill. [In the last sense written also pea and pee.]
Fore peak. Naut. See under Fore.
© Webster 1913.
Peak, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Peaked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Peaking.] 1. To rise or extend into a peak or point; to form, or appear as, a peak.
There peaketh up a mighty high mount.
Holand.
2. To acquire sharpness of figure or features; hence, to look thin or sicky. "Dwindle, peak, and pine."
Shak.
3. [Cf. Peek.] To pry; to peep slyly.
Shak.
Peak arch Arch., a pointed or Gothic arch.
© Webster 1913.
Peak, v. t. Naut. To raise to a position perpendicular, or more nearly so; as, to peak oars, to hold them upright; to peak a gaff or yard, to set it nearer the perpendicular.
© Webster 1913. | 
