peasant

[pez-uhnt]

noun

1. 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.

2. a coarse, unsophisticated, boorish, uneducated person of little financial means.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of peasants or their traditions, way of life, crafts, etc.

2. 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

/ ˈpɛzənt /

noun

1. 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

2. informal,  a person who lives in the country; rustic

3. informal,  an uncouth or uncultured person

peasant

1. 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.

Other Word Forms

• peasantlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of peasant¹

1375–1425; late Middle English paissaunt < Anglo-French paisant, Old French païsant, earlier païsenc, equivalent to païs country (< Late Latin pāgēnsis, equivalent to Latin pāg ( us ) country district + -ēnsis -ensis ) + -enc < Germanic ( -ing ³ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of peasant¹

C15: from Anglo-French, from Old French païsant, from païs country, from Latin pāgus rural area; see _pagan

Example Sentences

He is, however, at least slightly better dressed than a peasant screaming invectives in a whiny British accent.

From Salon

Once the Communists took over Russia, they vastly increased the literacy of the largely peasant population, industrialized the country, poured money into scientific research and fostered a respectable number of Nobel Prize winners.

From Salon

But there are significant differences between then and now: Under the feudal system, the lord had, in principle, certain obligations to peasants in addition to his right to command them.

From Salon

There, Sesa said, Prevost ate whatever was offered to him, including the peasant diet consisting of potatoes, cheese and sweet corn.

From BBC

In their native Poland, they’re peasant food, yes — but also celebratory, regional and wildly varied.

From Salon