pry

Meanings

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. To peer at (something) closely; also, to look into (a matter, etc.) thoroughly.

1. An act of prying; a close and curious look.
2. A person who is very inquisitive or nosy; a busybody, a nosey parker.

1. A tool for levering; a crowbar, a lever.

1. To use leverage to open, raise, or widen (something); to prise or prize.
2. Usually followed by out (of): to draw out or get (information, etc.) with effort.

1. A surname.

Etymology

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.