Hypertext Webster Gateway: "pry"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Pry \Pry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pried}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Prying}.]
To raise or move, or attempt to raise or move, with a pry or
lever; to prize. [Local, U. S. & Eng.]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Pry \Pry\, v. i. [OE. prien. Cf. {Peer} to peep.]
To peep narrowly; to gaze; to inspect closely; to attempt to
discover something by a scrutinizing curiosity; -- often
implying reproach. `` To pry upon the stars.'' --Chaucer.
Watch thou and wake when others be asleep, To pry into
the secrets of the state. --Shak.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Pry \Pry\, n.
Curious inspection; impertinent peeping.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Pry \Pry\, n. [Corrupted fr. prize a lever. See {Prize}, n.]
A lever; also, leverage. [Local, U. S. & Eng.]
{Pry pole}, the pole which forms the prop of a hoisting gin,
and stands facing the windlass.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
pry
n : a heavy iron lever with one end forged into a wedge [syn: {crowbar},
{wrecking bar}, {pry bar}]
v 1: to move or force, esp. in an effort to get something open;
"The burglar jimmied the lock", "Raccoons managed to pry
the lid off the garbage pail" [syn: {prise}, {prize}, {lever},
{jimmy}]
2: be nosey; "Don't pry into my personal matters!"
3: search or inquire in a meddlesome way; "This guy is always
nosing around the office" [syn: {nose}, {poke}]
4: make an uninvited or presumptuous inquiry; "They pried the
information out of him" [syn: {prise}]
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