Sekirov Dictionary

pry

/pɹaɪ/

verb 5
noun 3
forms 7

verb5

•
To inquire into something that does not concern one; to be nosy; to snoop.
- I don't mean to pry, but could you tell me where you got that scarf?
•
To use leverage to open, raise, or widen (something); to prise or prize.
- "Oh! he's going home to Down East," said another; "so far eastward, you know, shippy, that they have to pry up the sun with a handspike." — 1850
(figurative) Usually followed by out (of): to draw out or get (information, etc.) with effort.
•
To peer closely and curiously, especially at something closed or not public.
- [W]omen haue eagles eyes, / To prie euen to the heart, and why not you? — 1599
(no longer used) To peer at (something) closely; also, to look into (a matter, etc.) thoroughly.

noun3

•
An act of prying; a close and curious look.
- With those beauties, scarce discern'd, / Kept with such sweet privacy, / That they seldom meet the eye / Of the little loves that fly / Round about with eager pry. — 1817
(US) A tool for levering; a crowbar, a lever.
A person who is very inquisitive or nosy; a busybody, a nosey parker.

forms

pried · prying · pries · prieth · pryeth · prys · pryest

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