pry Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a heavy iron lever with one end forged into a wedge
pry bar; wrecking bar; crowbar.
verb to move or force, especially in an effort to get something open
lever; prise; jimmy; prize.
- The burglar jimmied the lock": "Raccoons managed to pry the lid off the garbage pail
verb be nosey
- Don't pry into my personal matters!
verb search or inquire in a meddlesome way
horn in; intrude; poke; nose.
- This guy is always nosing around the office
verb make an uninvited or presumptuous inquiry
prise.
- They pried the information out of him

Corrupted fr. prize a lever. See Prize, n.

imperfect & past participle Pried ; present participle & verbal noun Prying

To raise or move, or attempt to raise or move, with a pry or lever; to prize. Local, U. S. & Eng.

OE. prien. Cf. Peer to peep.

To peep narrowly; to gaze; to inspect closely; to attempt to discover something by a scrutinizing curiosity; -- often implying reproach. " To pry upon the stars." Chaucer.
Watch thou and wake when others be asleep, To pry into the secrets of the state. Shak.