pry

• IPA^(key): /pɹaɪ/
• Rhymes: -aɪ

From Middle English pryen, prien (“to look closely, peer into, pry, spy”), from Old English *prīwan, *prēowian (“to look narrowly, to squint at”), attested by Old English beprīwan, beprēwan (“to wink”). Akin to Old English *prēowot (“closing of the eyes”), attested only in combination, compare prēowthwīl (“blink or twinkling of an eye, moment”), Old English princ (“a wink”). More at prink.

pry (third-person singular simple present pries, present participle prying, simple past and past participle pried)

1. (intransitive) To look where one is not welcome; to be nosy.
2. (intransitive) To look closely and curiously at (something closed or not public).
   • Shakespeare

     Watch thou and wake when others be asleep, / To pry into the secrets of the state.

pry (plural pries)

1. The act of prying.
2. An excessively inquisitive person.

1800, back-formation from prize ("lever"), construed as a plural noun or as a 3rd-person singular verb.

pry (plural pries)

1. A lever.
2. Leverage.

pry (third-person singular simple present pries, present participle prying, simple past and past participle pried)

1. To use leverage to open or widen.

   Synonyms: prise, prize

• pyr-