bo-peep

To play at bo-peep. To peep out suddenly from a hiding place, and cry bo! a children's game.

They then for sudden joy did weep,

And I for sorrow sung,

That such a king should play bo-peep,

And go the fools among.

Shakspeare.

There the devil plays at bo-peep, puts out his horns to do mischief, then shrinks them back for safety.--Dryden.

bo-peep
One who sometimes hides himself, and sometimes appears publicly abroad, is said to-play at bo-peep. ...

Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
Bo
·interj An exclamation used to startle or frighten. ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Peep
·noun First outlook or appearance. II. Peep ·noun The cry of a young chicken; a chirp. III. Peep ·...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
bo
Abbreviation of boy. A familiar epithet for a comrade, derived probably from the negro. ...

The Sailor's Word-Book
Bo tree
·- The peepul tree; ·esp., the very ancient tree standing at Anurajahpoora in Ceylon, grown from a s...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Day-peep
·noun The <<Dawn>>. ...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Peep sight
·add. ·- An adjustable piece, pierced with a small hole to peep through in aiming, attached to a rif...

Webster's Dictionary of the English Language