Pry
Webster's Dictionary [1]
(1): ( v. i.) To peep narrowly; to gaze; to inspect closely; to attempt to discover something by a scrutinizing curiosity; - often implying reproach.
(2): ( n.) A lever; also, leverage.
(3): ( v. t.) To raise or move, or attempt to raise or move, with a pry or lever; to prize.
(4): ( n.) Curious inspection; impertinent peeping.
King James Dictionary [2]
Pry, a contracted word, the origin of which is not obvious.
To peep narrowly to inspect closely to attempt to discover something with scrutinizing curiosity, whether impertinently or not as, to pry into the mysteries of nature, or into the secrets of state.
Nor need we with a prying eye survey
The distant skies to find the milky way.
Pry, n. Narrow inspection impertinent peeping.
Pry, To raise or attempt to raise with a lever. This is the common popular pronunciation of prize, in America. The lever used is also called a pry.
