English Dictionary

Definition of “peace”

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peace (piːsPronunciation for peace) 

Definitions

noun

    1. the state existing during the absence of war
    2. ((as modifier)  ⇒ peace negotiations 
  2. (modifier) denoting a person or thing symbolizing support for international peace  ⇒ peace women 
  3. (often capital) a treaty marking the end of a war
  4. a state of harmony between people or groups; freedom from strife
  5. law and order within a state; absence of violence or other disturbance  ⇒ a breach of the peace 
  6. absence of mental anxiety (often in the phrase peace of mind)
  7. a state of stillness, silence, or serenity
  8. See at peace
  9. See hold one's peace
  10. See keep the peace
  11. See make one's peace with
  12. See make peace

verb

  1. (intr) mainly obsolete to be or become silent or still

Word Origin

C12: from Old French pais,  from Latin pāx

Quotations

  • "Peace hath her victoriesNo less renowned than war" John Milton
  • "Let him who desires peace, prepare for war" Vegetius
  • "Peace is not the absence of war. Lasting peace is rooted in justice" David Trimble
  • "You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom" Malcolm X
  • "If peace cannot be maintained with honour, it is no longer peace" Lord John Russell
  • "In the arts of peace Man is a bungler" George Bernard Shaw
  • "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding" Bible: Philippians
  • "They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks" Bible: Isaiah
  • "War makes rattling good history; but Peace is poor reading" Thomas Hardy
  • "He that makes a good war makes a good peace" George Herbert
  • "peace: in international affairs, a period of cheating between two periods of fighting" Ambrose Bierce

Translations

  • British English: peace Pronunciation for peace When there is peace in a country, it is not involved in a war....a shared commitment to world peace.piːs NOUN ...a shared commitment to world peace.
  • Spanish: paz Pronunciation for paz nf
  • French: paix Pronunciation for paix nf
  • German: Friede Pronunciation for Friede nm
  • Chinese: 和平Pronunciation for 和平 n
  • Arabic: سَلَامٌPronunciation for سَلَامٌ n
  • Portuguese: pazPronunciation for paz nf
  • Russian: мирPronunciation for мир nm
  • Croatian: mirPronunciation for mir nm
  • Czech: klidPronunciation for klid nm
  • Danish: fredPronunciation for fred nutr
  • Dutch: vredePronunciation for vrede n
  • Finnish: rauhaPronunciation for rauha n
  • Greek: ειρήνηPronunciation for ειρήνη nf
  • Italian: pacePronunciation for pace nf
  • Japanese: 平穏Pronunciation for 平穏 n
  • Korean: 평화Pronunciation for 평화 n
  • Norwegian: fredPronunciation for fred nm
  • Polish: ciszaPronunciation for cisza nf
  • Brazilian Portuguese: pazPronunciation for paz nf
  • European Spanish: paz Pronunciation for paz nf
  • Swedish: fredPronunciation for fred nutr
  • Thai: ความสงบเรียบร้อยPronunciation for ความสงบเรียบร้อย n
  • Turkish: barışPronunciation for barış n
  • Vietnamese: sự yên tĩnhPronunciation for sự yên tĩnh n

Usage examples

  • If we turn on the Russians now I doubt there'll be peace in Europe for a hundred years.
    Robert Wilson, THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS (2002)
  • However, buyers will look elsewhere if the peace is disturbed.
    Country Life (2005)
  • The Minister also played a key role in handling difficult security and legal aspects of the peace process in the North.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • With everyone fed, I finally changed from my bathrobe and set off to find somewhere I could enjoy breakfast in peace.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • The Native Americans talk of a time of `purification', which will herald in a new era of peace.
    Amoda, MOVING INTO ECSTASY: An Urban Mystic's Guide to Movement, Music and Meditation (2001)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'P'

Related Terms

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