From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishpeelpeel1 /piːl/ ●●○ verb 1 [transitive]DF to remove the skin from fruit or vegetables Peel and dice the potatoes.► see thesaurus at cut2 [intransitive] if skin, paper, or paint peels, it comes off, usually in small piecespeel from/off The paper was peeling from the wall. New skin grows, and the damaged skin peels off.3 BREAK[intransitive] to lose an outer layer or surface The walls were peeling from the damp.4 [transitive always + adverb/preposition]REMOVE to remove the outer layer from somethingpeel something away/off/back Peel away the waxed paper from the bottom of the cake. → keep your eyes peeled at eye1(18) → peel off→ See Verb table
DFthe skin of some fruits and vegetables, especially the thick skin of fruits such as oranges, which you do not eat → rind, zest orange peel
Examples from the Corpus
peel• I got sunburned, and now my face is peeling.• Could you peel an orange for me?• Then he began to peel back the brittle newspapers, Father Tim saw that the date on the Mitford Muse was 1952.• You could also drop mothballs or peeled garlic cloves or sprinkle hot pepper into the tunnels.• Reno unfolded herself, pushed her bulk out of the car, and peeled her dresses off the back seat.• He undid his buttons, and peeled off his shirt.• He peeled off his T-shirt, revealing a chunky tanned torso that reeked of Lifebuoy soap.• The windows were all shuttered and what paint was left was peeling off in huge flakes.• So I peeled the label from the tube and threw my blood away.peel from/off• Then the damaged skin peels off.• This is peeled off and examined under a microscope.• Clayt stepped out of the dark and lifted the door shut and peeled off his all-weather gear.• I peeled off my shirt as soon as I saw the ocean.• Then, simply peel off the charred skin under running water.• The enamel has peeled off the taps like so much banana skin, revealing dull, patchy brass.• Turn the peel from time to time.• At the top of the aisle, the bridesmaids and groomsmen peeled off to left and right respectively.peelpeel2 ●●○ noun [countable, uncountable] DFthe skin of some fruits and vegetables, especially the thick skin of fruits such as oranges, which you do not eat → rind, zest orange peelExamples from the Corpus
peel• Meanwhile, marinate the almonds, sultanas and peel in the rum for 30 minutes.• a banana peel• Add boiling water, sugar, spices, citrus juice and citrus peel.• Back in the cabin I mix the berries with sugar and lemon peel, then roll out the pie crusts.• Add the wine and lemon peel to the olive oil and simmer for 2 minutes.• The room was badly ventilated, and the floor was strewn with nut shells and orange peel.• Add the peel and boil slowly until all the sugar syrup is pretty much absorbed.• Drain the peel, refill the pot and boil the peel for 20 minutes more.• Meanwhile place apples, water, peel and soft brown sugar and cinnamon in a pan and simmer until tender.Origin peel1 (1200-1300) Latin pilare “to remove the hair from”, from pilus “hair” 