| peace | A state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or agitation; calm; repose; specifically: Exemption from, or cessation of, war with public enemies. Public quiet, order, and contentment in obedience to law. Exemption from, or subjection of, agitating passions; tranquillity of mind or conscience. Reconciliation; agreement after variance; harmony; concord. "The eternal love and pees." Peace is sometimes used as an exclamation in commanding silence, quiet, or order. "Peace! foolish woman." at peace, in a state of peace. Breach of the peace. See Breach. Justice of the peace. See Justice. Peace of God. A voluntary offering to God in token of devout homage and of a sense of friendly communion with Him. A gift or service offered as satisfaction to an offended person. Peace officer, a civil officer whose duty it is to preserve the public peace, to prevent riots, etc, as a sheriff or constable. To hold one's peace, to be silent; to refrain from speaking. To make one's peace with, to reconcile one with, to plead one's cause with, or to become reconciled with, another. "I will make your peace with him." . Origin: OE. Pees, pais, OF. Pais, paiz, pes, F. Paix, L. Pax, pacis, akin to pacere, paciscere, pacisci, to make an agreement, and prob. Also pangere to fasten. Cf. Appease, Fair, Fay, Fang, Pacify, Pact, Pay to requite. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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