what is a peck

A peck is a unit of dry volume used in the United States and the British Imperial Systems of measurement. In the United States, a peck is equivalent to 8 dry quarts, or 537.6 cubic inches (8.810 liters) . In Great Britain, the peck may be used for either liquid or dry measure and is equal to 8 imperial quarts (2 imperial gallons), or one-fourth imperial bushel, or 554.84 cubic inches (9.092 liters) . Two pecks make a kenning (obsolete), and four pecks make a bushel. Although the peck is no longer widely used, some produce, such as apples, are still often sold by the peck in the U.S. . In Scotland, the peck was used as a dry measure until the introduction of imperial units as a result of the Weights and Measures Act of 1824. The peck was equal to about 9 liters (1.98 Imp gal) (in the case of certain crops, such as wheat, peas, beans, and meal) and about 13 liters (2.86 Imp gal) (in the case of barley, oats, and malt) .