Definition of Pick at

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

Exact synonyms: Pluck At, Pull At
Generic synonyms: Pull

2. Verb. Eat like a bird. "They pick at more bread"; "The anorexic girl just picks at her food"
Exact synonyms: Peck, Peck At
Generic synonyms: Eat

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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