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View synonyms for peon

peon

1

[ pee-uhn, pee-on ]

noun

  1. (in Spanish America) a farm worker or unskilled laborer; day laborer.
  2. (formerly, especially in Mexico) a person held in servitude to work off debts or other obligations.
  3. any person of low social status, especially one who does work regarded as menial or unskilled; drudge.


peon

2

[ pee-uhn, pee-on ]

noun

  1. a messenger, attendant, or orderly.
  2. a foot soldier or police officer.

peon

1

/ ˈpiːɒn; pjuːn; ˈpiːən /

noun

  1. a messenger or attendant, esp in an office
  2. a native policeman
  3. a foot soldier


peon

2

/ ˈpiːɒn; ˈpiːən /

noun

  1. a Spanish-American farm labourer or unskilled worker
  2. (formerly in Spanish America) a debtor compelled to work off his debts
  3. any very poor person

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Word History and Origins

Origin of peon1

1820–30; < Spanish peón peasant, day laborer < Vulgar Latin *pedōn- (stem of *pedō ) walker (whence Medieval Latin pedōnēs infantry, Old French peon pawn 2 ), derivative of Latin ped- (stem of pēs ) foot

Origin of peon2

1600–10; < Portuguese peão, French pion foot soldier, pedestrian, day laborer. See peon 1

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Word History and Origins

Origin of peon1

C17: from Portuguese peão orderly; see peon 1

Origin of peon2

C19: from Spanish peón peasant, from Medieval Latin pedō man who goes on foot, from Latin pēs foot; compare Old French paon pawn ²

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Example Sentences

In the end, the one-trick peon has pulled off more literary tricks than David Copperfield.

She was so handy with a needle, and allus ready to cut out calico dingusses that the peon gals could sew up.

I liked the place, and not long after got employment as a government Peon, in the service of the English.

One sallow, emaciated peon carried a crucifix, which he had evidently snatched as he flew to the rescue.

Of course if you should be so unfortunate as to have a peon lift his rifle, you would never reach the truck alive.

That, peon, is something you'll have to find out for yourself.

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