PEASANT Definition & Meaning

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peasant

[ pez-uhnt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a member of a class of persons, as in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, who are small farmers or farm laborers of low social rank.
a coarse, unsophisticated, boorish, uneducated person of little financial means.

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of peasants or their traditions, way of life, crafts, etc.
of or designating a style of clothing modeled on the folk costumes of Western cultures, especially women's full-sleeved, round-necked blouses and long, full skirts.

peasant

/ ˈ��ɛ��ə�Գ� /

noun

1. a member of a class of low social status that depends on either cottage industry or agricultural labour as a means of subsistence
2. ( as modifier )
  peasant dress
informal.
a person who lives in the country; rustic
informal.
an uncouth or uncultured person

peasant

A farmer or agricultural worker of low status . The word is applied chiefly to agricultural workers in Asia , Europe , and South America , who generally adhere to traditional agricultural practices and have little social mobility or freedom.

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

��𲹲�a�Գ�·�� adjective

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of peasant¹

1375–1425; late Middle English paissaunt < Anglo-French paisant, Old French �貹ï��Գ�, earlier �貹ï��Գ�, equivalent to �貹ï�� country (< Late Latin ��岵ŧ�Բ��, equivalent to Latin ��岵 ( us ) country district + -ŧ�Բ�� -ensis ) + -enc < Germanic ( -ing ³ )

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of peasant¹

C15: from Anglo-French, from Old French �貹ï��Գ�, from �貹ï�� country, from Latin ��岵us rural area; see pagan

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The peasant class of African Americans was whom Langston Hughes affectionately called the Lowdown Folks:

From

In the 1930s, his successor, Joseph Stalin, cited the “inefficiency” of individual farming as justification for the collectivization of millions of peasants into state farms, creating a “terror-famine” in Ukraine.

From

Northern Ireland isn’t known for haute cuisine, or even for soulful peasant dishes like haggis.

From

"We're treated like peasants. Like we're not good enough to live in decent homes," says Lorraine Branch, a tenant on the Nags Head Estate in east London.

From

"We borrow money from Chinese peasants to buy the things those Chinese peasants manufacture," the vice-president said.

From

Peary, Robert E.peasant proprietor

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