Antonyms for perking


Grammar : Verb
Spell : purk
Phonetic Transcription : pÉœrk


Definition of perking

Origin :
  • late 14c., "to make oneself trim or smart," perhaps from Old North French perquer "to perch" (Modern French percher; see perch (n.1)), on notion of a bird preening its plumage. Sense of "raise oneself briskly" is first attested 1520s; perk up "recover liveliness" is from 1650s. Related: Perked; perking.
  • As in percolate : verb seep, drip (liquid)
  • As in perform : verb carry out, accomplish
  • As in produce : verb put on a public performance
  • As in stimulate : verb excite, provoke
  • As in act : verb do something
Example sentences :
  • He was perking up his big ears and wagging his stump of a tail in front of him.
  • Extract from : « The Manxman » by Hall Caine
  • And yet these perking courtiers are a long time seeing that.
  • Extract from : « The Hero of the People » by Alexandre Dumas
  • Then she strolled over toward the Man, lifting her feet in her most aristocratic way and perking her head prettily.
  • Extract from : « Tales of a Poultry Farm » by Clara Dillingham Pierson
  • He set coffee to perking, laid strips of bacon in a skillet and arranged half a dozen eggs nearby.
  • Extract from : « Double Challenge » by James Arthur Kjelgaard
  • "Well, I for one don't like her a bit," declared Tilly, perking up the bow ends of the black sling that hung about her neck.
  • Extract from : « The Sunbridge Girls at Six Star Ranch » by Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman) Porter
  • She'll be sure to be peeking an' perking inter every thing the moment my back's turned.
  • Extract from : « The World Before Them » by Susanna Moodie
  • It's simply ridiculous to have Margaret perking herself up for beaux.
  • Extract from : « A Little Girl in Old New York » by Amanda Millie Douglas
  • So he had, like a very unwise rabbit, and was perking up his long ears within quite easy range of Charley's gun as he levelled it.
  • Extract from : « Harper's Young People, April 6, 1880 » by Various
  • The seat next them was unoccupied, and Mallory dropped into it, perking his ears backward for news.
  • Extract from : « Excuse Me! » by Rupert Hughes
  • "You hear it from the police, gentlemen," added Mr. Meredith, perking up a little.
  • Extract from : « The Gentleman From Indiana » by Booth Tarkington

Synonyms for perking

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019