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Pried Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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pried

[praษชd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

physical action

Pried is the past tense of pry, which means to forcibly open something or to inquire too closely into someone's personal affairs. It often implies an intrusive or curious action.

Synonyms

interrogate, lever, wrench.

Examples of usage

  • She pried the lid off the box.
  • He pried into her private life.
  • They pried open the door to see what was inside.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural References

  • In literature and film, characters often 'pry' into others' affairs, emphasizing the human curiosity about secrets.
  • Prying is a common theme in detective stories, where detectives seek hidden truths or alibis.

Psychology

  • People often pry because they have a natural curiosity or the need to feel in control over their environment.
  • Research suggests that prying into someone else's life can lead to social bonding, but it may also create tension.

Law

  • In legal contexts, prying can relate to privacy invasion, highlighting the fine line between curiosity and ethical boundaries.
  • Prying into someoneโ€™s personal information without consent can have serious legal consequences.

Everyday Usage

  • Common phrases include 'pry open' for opening something forcefully and 'don't pry' as a warning against invading privacy.
  • Prying can occur in various settings, from homes when looking for hidden items to workplaces during gossip.

Origin of 'pried'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'pry' originates from the Old French 'prier,' meaning 'to press or push,' illustrating its forceful nature.
  • Historically, the word evolved from Middle English 'prien,' which represented the act of opening something with effort.

The word 'pry' comes from the Old English term 'priwan,' which meant 'to pry open' or 'to lift.' It has roots in the Proto-Germanic word 'prewanan,' and is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as 'pry' in Dutch and 'prig' in German. Over time, the meaning has expanded to include the action of inquiring into something secretly or intrusively, reflecting a curiosity that might lead to unwanted intrusion. The evolution of the term shows how language can transform with societal changes, particularly in contexts related to privacy and curiosity.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,938, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.