ən, ˈpi 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.
Origin:
1820–30; < Spanish peón peasant, day laborer < Vulgar Latin *pedōn- (stem of *pedō) walker (whence Medieval Latin pedōnēs infantry, Old French peon pawn2), derivative of Latin ped- (stem of pēs) foot
1820–30; < Spanish peón peasant, day laborer < Vulgar Latin *pedōn- (stem of *pedō) walker (whence Medieval Latin pedōnēs infantry, Old French peon pawn2), derivative of Latin ped- (stem of pēs) foot
00:10
Peon
is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
noun (in India and Sri Lanka)
1.
a messenger, attendant, or orderly.
2.
a foot soldier or police officer.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To peon
Collins
World English Dictionary
peon1 (ˈpiːən, ˈpiːɒn) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 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 |
| [C19: from Spanish peón peasant, from Medieval Latin pedō man who goes on foot, from Latin pēs foot; compare Old French paon | |
| peon2 (pjuːn, ˈpiːən, ˈpiːɒn) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a messenger or attendant, esp in an office |
| 2. | a native policeman |
| 3. | a foot soldier |
| [C17: from Portuguese peão orderly; see | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
peon
1826, from Mex.Sp. peon "agricultural laborer" (esp. a debtor held in servitude by his creditor), from Sp., "day laborer," also "pedestrian," originally "foot soldier," from M.L. pedonem "foot soldier" (see pawn (2)). The word entered British Eng. earlier (1609) in the sense
"native constable, soldier, or messenger in India," via Port. peao "pedestrian, foot soldier, day laborer."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Jargon
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FOLDOC
Computing Dictionary
peon definition
jargonA person with no special (root or wheel) privileges on a computer system. "I can't create an account on foovax for you; I'm only a peon there."
[Jargon File]
(2001-12-23)
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