peace

Meanings

Noun

• A state of tranquility, quiet, and harmony; absence of violence. For instance, a state free from civil disturbance.
• A state free of oppressive and unpleasant thoughts and emotions.
• Harmony in personal relations.
• A state free of war, in particular war between different countries.

Interjection

• Shut up!, silence!; be quiet, be silent.
• Shortened form of peace out; goodbye.

Verb

• To make peace; to put at peace; to be at peace.
• To peace out.

Origin

• From Middle English pes, pais, pees, borrowed from Anglo-Norman peis and Old French pais ("peace"), from Latin pāx ("peace"), from Proto-Indo-European *peh₂ḱ- ("to fasten, stick, place"), related to Latin pacīscor ("agree, stipulate"), Latin pangō ("fasten, fix"); see pact. Displaced native Middle English frith, frede (from Old English friþ, frēod), Middle English sib ("peace") (from Old English sibb ("peace, kinship")), Middle English grith ("peace, security") (from Old English griþ and Old Norse grið), Middle English saught ("peace, reconciliation") (from Old English seht, sæht). pax.