1. A person of the same legal status; such as, a jury of one's peers.
2. Someone who is equal to another in abilities, qualifications, age, background, and social status.
3. Something of equal worth or quality.
4. A member of any of the five degrees of the nobility in Great Britain and Ireland (duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron).
5. Etymology: from Anglo-French peir, Old French per; from Latin par, "equal"; an equal in civil standing or rank.

1. To look closely or carefully; especially, because someone or something is difficult to see: "Gerda peered at the tiny print of the pocket dictionary in an effort to see the word and its definition."

"Jason peered at the people walking on the street by his house from behind a curtain."

2. To come out slightly or to peep out: "During the cloudy day, the sun peered from behind a cloud."
3. Etymology: of uncertain origin, perhaps resulting from aperen, "to appear" and found in Middle English piren, "to peer, to look".