First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1peel
verb \ˈpēl\
: to remove the skin from (a fruit, vegetable, etc.)
: to remove (a covering, shell, etc.) from something
: to come off in pieces
Full Definition of PEEL
transitive verb
1
: to strip off an outer layer of
2
: to remove by stripping <peel the label off the can>
intransitive verb
1
a : to come off in sheets or scales b : to lose an outer layer (as of skin) <his face is peeling>
2
: to take off one's clothes
3
: to break away from a group or formation —often used with off
— peel·able \ˈpē-lə-bəl\ adjective
See peel defined for English-language learners
See peel defined for kids
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Origin of PEEL
Middle English pelen, from Anglo-French peler, from Latin pilare to remove the hair from, from pilus hair
2peel
noun
Definition of PEEL
1
: the skin or rind of a fruit
2
: a thin layer of organic material that is embedded in a film of collodion and stripped from the surface of an object (as a plant fossil) for microscopic study
3
First Known Use of PEEL
14th century
Other Biology Terms
3peel
noun
Definition of PEEL
: a usually long-handled spade-shaped instrument that is used chiefly by bakers for getting something (as bread or pies) into or out of the oven
Origin of PEEL
Middle English pele, from Anglo-French, from Latin pala
First Known Use: 14th century
4peel
noun
Definition of PEEL
: a medieval small massive fortified tower along the Scottish-English border —called also peel tower
Origin of PEEL
Middle English (Scots) pel, from Middle English, stockade, stake, from Anglo-French, stake, from Latin palus — more at pole
First Known Use: 1726
Peel
biographical name \ˈpēl\
Definition of PEEL
Sir Robert 1788–1850 Eng. statesman
Peel
geographical name \ˈpēl\
Definition of PEEL
river 425 miles (684 kilometers) NW Canada rising in W Yukon Territory & flowing E & N into the Mackenzie
PEELED Defined for Kids
1peel
verb \ˈpēl\
peeledpeel·ing
Definition of PEEL for Kids
1
: to strip off the skin or bark of <I'm peeling apples.>
2
: to strip or tear off <He peeled off his clothes down to his swimming trunks … — Virginia Hamilton, M.C. Higgins>
3
: to come off smoothly or in bits <The paint is peeling.>
— peel·er \ˈpē-lər\ noun
2peel
noun
Definition of PEEL for Kids
: an outer covering and especially the skin of a fruit
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