pry

Meaning

1. To peer closely and curiously, especially at something closed or not public.
2. To inquire into something that does not concern one; to be nosy; to snoop.
3. (obsolete) To peer at (something) closely; also, to look into (a matter, etc.) thoroughly.

prize

lever

pry bar

pry open

worm out

force open

be curious

open door

search out

push open

meddle in

be nosy

be inquisitive

bandspike

fish

🐟

lever scale

ripping bar

inquisitive glance

prying tool

lever pry bar

prise prize

jim crow

Frequency

Pronounced as (IPA)

/pɹaɪ/

The verb is inherited from Middle English prien, pryen (“to look closely, peer into, pry, spy”) [and other forms], from Old English *prīwan, *prēowian (“to look narrowly, to squint at”), attested by Old English beprīwan, beprēwan (“to wink”); further etymology unknown, but probably akin to Old English *prēowot (“closing of the eyes”), attested only in combination – compare prēowthwīl (“blink or twinkling of an eye, moment”), princ (“a wink”): see prink. The noun is derived from the verb.

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