pec
UK[pɛk]US[pɛk]
n
A unit of dry measure, equal to 8 quarts or one quarter of a bushel.
n
A large amount or a great deal (informal, often used in phrases like 'a peck of').
Etymology
The word 'pec' is a modern abbreviation of 'peck', a unit of dry measure. The term 'peck' itself originates from Middle English 'pekke', which is likely related to Old French 'pek' or 'picot', meaning a small quantity or a measure. Its ultimate origin is uncertain but may be connected to the concept of 'picking' or a small, discrete amount. The clipped form 'pec' emerged in informal or specialized contexts, such as in financial slang where it can refer to a percentage point, demonstrating how measurement terms can evolve into abstract units in professional jargon.
Analysis
The word 'pec' is a clipped or shortened form of the word 'peck'. As a simplex form, it does not contain separable morphemes within its current spelling.
Examples
The recipe calls for a pec of wheat berries.
He argued that interest rates would rise by a few pecs.
We harvested just over a pec of apples from the young tree.