Langimage
English

peasant

|peas/ant|

B2

/ˈpɛzənt/

rural farmer

Etymology
Etymology Information

'peasant' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'paisant,' where 'pais' meant 'country.'

Historical Evolution

'paisant' transformed into the Middle English word 'paissaunt,' and eventually became the modern English word 'peasant.'

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'country dweller,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a member of a traditional class of farmers.'

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a member of a traditional class of farmers, either laborers or owners of small farms, especially in the Middle Ages.

The peasants worked tirelessly in the fields.

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Noun 2

a person who is considered to be of low social status or uncultured.

He was dismissed as a peasant by the city elite.

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Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45