Meaning & Definition of word "Peasant"
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Peasant
/ˈpɛz.ənt/
noun:
- 1. A small agricultural worker or farmer, especially in historical contexts, who is often of lower social status.
- Example: The peasant tended to his crops from dawn until dusk, hoping for a good harvest.
- 2. A member of a traditional class of farmers, laborers, and herdsmen with low social status.
- Example: In medieval times, a peasant was bound to the land they worked, with little hope for upward mobility.
- 3. A person of low social status; one who is regarded as unrefined or unsophisticated.
- Example: Despite his wealth, he was often treated like a peasant by the elite of the city.
Etymology
From Old French 'paisant', from 'pais', meaning 'country' or 'land'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
peasant class:
The social class of rural workers who are typically poor and work the land.
peasant revolt:
An uprising by peasants against their rulers, often due to oppression or heavy taxation.
Related Words
serf:
A laborer who is bound to work on a lord's estate.
tenant:
A person who occupies land or property rented from a landlord.
Slang Meanings of peasant
Meaning: A person who is viewed as unsophisticated or lacking in social grace.
Example Sentence: I felt like a peasant at the fancy dinner party.
Meaning: Used humorously to describe someone with a taste for simple, rustic living.
Example Sentence: She embraced her inner peasant while camping in the wild.