peasant
peasant Lexical Profile
peasant Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A pre-industrial agricultural laborer or small-scale farmer of low social status who works the land, especially in feudal or traditional agrarian societies.
"Medieval peasants were obligated to give a large portion of their harvest to the local lord in exchange for protection."
An ignorant, rude, or unsophisticated person of perceived low social standing (used as a derogatory term).
"The arrogant official treated the waitstaff like peasants throughout the entire banquet."
• adjective
Relating to, characteristic of, or produced by traditional rural agricultural laborers or smallholders.
"The museum features an extensive collection of 19th-century peasant embroidery and traditional folk costumes."
Word Nuance & Usage
While neutral in historical and sociological contexts referring to pre-industrial agricultural workers, calling a contemporary person a "peasant" is strongly derogatory and implies crudeness or low social status.
• Rhymes for peasant
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 15th century from Anglo-French 'paisant' (meaning countryman or native), which derives from Old French 'païs' (country) and ultimately from Late Latin 'pagensis', relating to a rural district or village ('pagus').