peephole

English

View through a peephole
Barack Obama looking through the Oval Office door peephole

Etymology

From peep +‎ hole.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈpiːphəʊl/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈpiphoʊl/, [ˈpʰiphoʊɫ]
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Hyphenation: peep‧hole

Noun

peephole (plural peepholes)

  1. A small hole, opening, or piece of glass, especially in a door, through which one can look without being seen.
    • 1897, Richard Marsh, The Beetle:
      It’s a conjurer’s den. — I shouldn’t be surprised if cabby’s old gent is staring at us all the while from some peephole of his own.

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