pry

n. [ Corrupted fr. prize a lever. See Prize, n. ] A lever; also, leverage. [ Local, U. S. & Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Pry pole, the pole which forms the prop of a hoisting gin, and stands facing the windlass. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Pried p. pr. & vb. n. Prying. ] To raise or move, or attempt to raise or move, with a pry or lever; to prize. [ Local, U. S. & Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Watch thou and wake when others be asleep,
To pry into the secrets of the state. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Mining) See Prian. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Inspecting closely or impertinently. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Inquisitive; curious. See Inquisitive. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a prying manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., fr. Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; prytanis. ] (Gr. Antiq.) A public building in certain Greek cities; especially, a public hall in Athens regarded as the home of the community, in which official hospitality was extended to distinguished citizens and strangers. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Prytanes [ L., fr. Gr. &unr_;. ] (Gr. Antiq.) A member of one of the ten sections into which the Athenian senate of five hundred was divided, and to each of which belonged the presidency of the senate for about one tenth of the year. [ 1913 Webster ]