peasants
|pe-asant|
/ˈpɛzənt/
(peasant)
rural farmer
Etymology
'peasant' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'païsant' (modern French 'paysan'), where the root 'pais/pays' meant 'country' or 'land'.
'peasant' changed from Old French 'païsant' (meaning 'country dweller') and was adopted into Middle English as 'peisant' or 'peasant', eventually becoming the modern English word 'peasant'. The Old French term itself derived from Latin 'pagus' referring to a rural district.
Initially, it meant 'country dweller' or 'someone from the countryside', but over time it evolved to mean specifically 'a poor or small-scale farmer' and acquired sometimes derogatory senses of being uncultured.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a member of a class of small farmers or agricultural laborers of low social status, especially in historical or traditional rural societies.
The peasants worked long hours in the fields from dawn until dusk.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
a derogatory term for an uneducated, uncultured, or coarse person.
He dismissed the visitors as peasants who did not understand city life.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
relating to peasants or rural life; simple or rustic in style.
The peasants favored peasant-style garments that were simple and practical.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/22 13:17