(pēk) noun
1. A projecting point or edge; an end terminating in a point; summit: the peak of a roof.
2. A mountain with pointed summit; a conspicuous or precipitous mountain.
3. The highest point in a pattern of change or development: at the peak of his career.
4. Naut. a The after upper corner of a fore–and–aft sail. b The upper end of a gaff. c The sharply narrowed part of the hull or hold of a vessel at the bow or stern, called respectively the forepeak and afterpeak.
5. A point formed on the forehead by the growth or cut of the hair: a widow's peak. See synonyms under SUMMIT.
—v.i.
1. To reach a peak; climax: His campaign peaked two weeks before the election.
—v.t.
2. Naut. To raise to or almost to a vertical position, as a gaff. ♦ Homophones: peek, pique. [OE pīc; def. 2 infl. by Sp. pico a beak, peak; v. infl. by peak vertically, aphetic var. of apeak <F à pic to a peak]

(pēk) v.i.
To become sickly, weak, or dispirited. ♦ Homophones: peek, pique. [Origin unknown]