Lexic.us

Definition of Pick at

1. Verb. Pluck or pull at with the fingers. "She picked nervously at the buttons of her blouse"

2. Verb. Eat like a bird. "They pick at more bread"; "The anorexic girl just picks at her food"

3. Verb. Express a negative opinion of. "She disparaged her student's efforts"

Lexicographical Neighbors of Pick At

pick-me-up pick-me-ups pick-pocket pick-pocketed pick-pocketing pick-pockets pick-up pick-up joint pick-up lines pick-ups

pick 'n' mix pick and place pick and roll pick apart pick at (current term) pick bodies pick corners pick holes pick of the litter pick off

pick on pick one's nose pick out pick out of a hat pick over pick six pick sixes pick someone's brain pick through

Literary usage of Pick at

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. International Library of Technology: A Series of Textbooks for Persons by International Textbook Company (1903)
"In either case the energy stored up in the pick at impact would be given up in a ... The velocity of the pick at impact can be determined by the formula . ..."

2. Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica: Comprising the Characteristic by William Boericke, Oscar E. Boericke (1906)
"Wants to rub it and pick at it. Bores at nose till it bleeds. Face.—Intense circumscribed redness of cheeks. Pale, hot, with dark rings around eyes. ..."

3. Noctes Ambrosianæ by John Wilson, Robert Shelton Mackenzie, James Hogg (1863)
"Mayna we take a pick at politics í Tickler. Waur sheep ! Hector. North. I trust we shall for ever love our country, Imp what may —niul that shaken as they ..."

4. Journal of Horticulture, Cottage Gardener and Country Gentlemen (1874)
"A piece of salt codfish is also considered quite a delicacy by the birds, and they will pick at it for i'a;a together. Fie. SO. ..."

5. Suomalais-englantilainen sanakirja by Severi Alanne (1919)
"... pick [at], taunt, gibe [at], quip; fling [at]. throw it up to (1. at) [one, ... pick [at], taunt; ..."

6. A Treatise on Coal Mining by International Correspondence Schools (1900)
"In either case the energy stored up in the pick at impact would be given up in a ... The velocity of the pick at impact can be determined by the formula in ..."

7. A Glossary of Words Used in the Wapentakes of Manley and Corringham by Edward Peacock (1889)
"pick at.—To speak against ; to back-bite ; to annoy by constant criticism. I'd be shaam'd to call mysen a gentleman, an' then pick at my awn wife as thoo ..."

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