Adjacent Words

Peace definitions

	Tweet

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

PEACE, n. [L. pax, paco, to appease.]
1. In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind.
2. Freedom from war with a foreign nation; public quiet.
3. Freedom from internal commotion or civil war.
4. Freedom from private quarrels, suits or disturbance.
5. Freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquillity; calmness; quiet of conscience.
Great peace have they that love the law. Psalms 119.
6. Heavenly rest; the happiness of heaven.
7. Harmony; concord; a state of reconciliation between parties at variance.
8. Public tranquillity; that quiet,order and security which is guaranteed by the laws; as, to keep the peace; to break the peace.
This word is used in commanding silence or quiet; as, peace to this troubled soul.
Peace, the lovers are asleep.
To be at peace, to be reconciled; to live in harmony.
To make peace, to reconcile, as parties at variance.
To hold the peace, to be silent; to suppress one's thoughts; not to speak.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: the state prevailing during the absence of war [ant: state of war, war]
2: harmonious relations; freedom from disputes; "the roommates lived in peace together"
3: the absence of mental stress or anxiety [syn: peace, peacefulness, peace of mind, repose, serenity, heartsease, ataraxis]
4: the general security of public places; "he was arrested for disturbing the peace" [syn: peace, public security]
5: a treaty to cease hostilities; "peace came on November 11th" [syn: peace, peace treaty, pacification]

Merriam Webster's

geographical name river 1195 miles (1923 kilometers) W Canada flowing E & NE in N British Columbia & N Alberta into Slave River — see Finlay

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Etymology: Middle English pees, from Anglo-French pes, pees, from Latin pac-, pax; akin to Latin pacisci to agree — more at pact Date: 12th century 1. a state of tranquillity or quiet: as a. freedom from civil disturbance b. a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom <a breach of the peace> 2. freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions 3. harmony in personal relations 4. a. a state or period of mutual concord between governments b. a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity 5. — used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell II. intransitive verb Date: 14th century obsolete to be, become, or keep silent or quiet

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 a quiet; tranquillity (needs peace to work well). b mental calm; serenity (peace of mind). 2 a (often attrib.) freedom from or the cessation of war (peace talks). b (esp. Peace) a treaty of peace between two States etc. at war. 3 freedom from civil disorder. 4 Eccl. a ritual liturgical greeting. Phrases and idioms: at peace 1 in a state of friendliness. 2 serene. 3 euphem. dead. hold one's peace keep silence. keep the peace prevent, or refrain from, strife. make one's peace (often foll. by with) re-establish friendly relations. make peace bring about peace; reconcile. the peace (or the queen's peace) peace existing within a realm; civil order. Peace Corps US an organization sending young people to work as volunteers in developing countries. peace-offering 1 a propitiatory or conciliatory gift. 2 Bibl. an offering presented as a thanksgiving to God. peace-pipe a tobacco-pipe as a token of peace among US Indians. Etymology: ME f. AF pes, OF pais f. L pax pacis

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Peace Peace, n. [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, a., Fay, v., Fang, Pacify, Pact, Pay to requite.] A state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or agitation; calm; repose; specifically: (a) Exemption from, or cessation of, war with public enemies. (b) Public quiet, order, and contentment in obedience to law. (c) Exemption from, or subjection of, agitating passions; tranquillity of mind or conscience. (d) Reconciliation; agreement after variance; harmony; concord. ``The eternal love and pees.'' --Chaucer. Note: Peace is sometimes used as an exclamation in commanding silence, quiet, or order. ``Peace! foolish woman.'' --Shak. At peace, in a state of peace. Breach of the peace. See under Breach. Justice of the peace. See under Justice. Peace of God. (Law) (a) A term used in wills, indictments, etc., as denoting a state of peace and good conduct. (b) (Theol.) The peace of heart which is the gift of God. Peace offering. (a) (Jewish Antiq.) A voluntary offering to God in token of devout homage and of a sense of friendly communion with Him. (b) 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.'' --Shak.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Peace Peace, v. t. & i. To make or become quiet; to be silent; to stop. [R.] ``Peace your tattlings.'' --Shak. When the thunder would not peace at my bidding. --Shak.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. If countries or groups involved in a war or violent conflict are discussing peace, they are talking to each other in order to try to end the conflict. Leaders of some rival factions signed a peace agreement last week... They hope the treaty will bring peace and stability to Southeast Asia. N-UNCOUNT: usu N n 2. If there is peace in a country or in the world, there are no wars or violent conflicts going on. The President spoke of a shared commitment to world peace and economic development. ...the Nobel Peace Prize. ? war N-UNCOUNT: oft at N 3. If you disapprove of weapons, especially nuclear weapons, you can use peace to refer to campaigns and other activities intended to reduce their numbers or stop their use. ...two peace campaigners accused of causing damage to an F1-11 nuclear bomber... N-UNCOUNT: usu N n 4. If you have peace, you are not being disturbed, and you are in calm, quiet surroundings. All I want is to have some peace and quiet and spend a couple of nice days with my grandchildren... One more question and I'll leave you in peace. N-UNCOUNT: oft in N 5. If you have a feeling of peace, you feel contented and calm and not at all worried. You can also say that you are at peace. I had a wonderful feeling of peace and serenity when I saw my husband... N-UNCOUNT: oft at N 6. If there is peace among a group of people, they live or work together in a friendly way and do not quarrel. You can also say that people live or work in peace with each other. ...a period of relative peace in the country's industrial relations... N-UNCOUNT: oft in N 7. The Peace of a particular place is a treaty or an agreement that was signed there, bringing an end to a war. (OLD-FASHIONED) The Peace of Ryswick was signed in September 1697. N-IN-NAMES: the N of n 8. see also breach of the peace, Justice of the Peace 9. If you hold or keep your peace, you do not speak, even though there is something you want or ought to say. (FORMAL) ...people who knew about this evil man but held their peace... = keep quiet PHRASE: V inflects 10. If someone in authority, such as the army or the police, keeps the peace, they make sure that people behave and do not fight or quarrel with each other. ...the first UN contingent assigned to help keep the peace in Cambodia... PHRASE: V inflects 11. If something gives you peace of mind, it stops you from worrying about a particular problem or difficulty. He began to insist upon a bullet-proof limousine, just for peace of mind. PHRASE: PHR after v, for PHR 12. If you express the wish that a dead person may rest in peace, you are showing respect and sympathy for him or her. 'Rest in peace' is also sometimes written on gravestones. (FORMAL) PHRASE: usu PHR after modal

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

pes (shalom; eirene):

1. In the Old Testament:

Is a condition of freedom from disturbance, whether outwardly, as of a nation from war or enemies, or inwardly, within the soul. The Hebrew word is shalom (both adjective and substantive), meaning, primarily, "soundness," "health," but coming also to signify "prosperity," well-being in general, all good in relation to both man and God. In early times, to a people harassed by foes, peace was the primary blessing. In Ps 122:7, we have "peace" and "prosperity," and in 35:27; 73:3, shalom is translated "prosperity." In 2Sa 11:7 the King James Version, David asked of Uriah "how Joab did" (margin "of the peace of Joab"), "and how the people did (the Revised Version (British and American) "fared," literally, "of the peace of the people"), and how the war prospered" (literally, "and of the peace (welfare) of the war").

(1) Shalom was the common friendly greeting, used in asking after the health of anyone; also in farewells (Ge 29:6, "Is it well with him?" ("Is there peace to him?"); 43:23, "Peace be to you"; 43:27, "He asked them of their welfare (of their peace)"; Jud 6:23, "Yahweh said unto him, Peace be unto thee"; 18:15 (the King James Version "saluted him," margin "Hebrew asked him of peace," the Revised Version (British and American) "of his welfare"); Jud 19:20, etc.). See also GREETING.

(2) Peace from enemies (implying prosperity) was the great desire of the nation and was the gift of God to the people if they walked in His ways (Le 26:6; Nu 6:26, "Yahweh lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace"; Ps 29:11; Isa 26:12, etc.). To "die in peace" was greatly to be desired (Ge 15:15; 1Ki 2:6; 2Ch 34:28, etc.).

(3) Inward peace was the portion of the righteous who trusted in God (Job 22:21, "Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace (shalam)"; Ps 4:8; 85:8, "He will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints"; 119:165; Pr 3:2,17; Isa 26:3, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace (Hebrew "peace, peace"), whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee"; Mal 2:5); also outward peace (Job 5:23,24; Pr 16:7, etc.).

(4) Peace was to be sought and followed by the righteous (Ps 34:14, "Seek peace, and pursue it"; Zec 8:16,19, "Love truth and peace").

(5) Peace should be a prominent feature of the Messianic times (Isa 2:4; 9:6, "Prince of Peace"; Isa 11:6; Eze 34:25; Mic 4:2-4; Zec 9:10).

In the New Testament, where eirene has much the same meaning and usage as shalom (for which it is employed in the Septuagint; compare Lu 19:42, the Revised Version (British and American) "If thou hadst known .... the things which belong unto peace"), we have still the expectation of "peace" through the coming of the Christ (Lu 1:74,79; 12:51) and also its fulfillment in the higher spiritual sense.

2. In the New Testament:

(1) The gospel in Christ is a message of peace from God to men (Lu 2:14; Ac 10:36, "preaching .... peace by Jesus Christ"). It is "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," in Ro 5:1; the King James Version 10:15; peace between Jew and Gentile (Eph 2:14,15); an essential element in the spiritual kingdom of God (Ro 14:17).

(2) It is to be cherished and followed by Christians. Jesus exhorted His disciples, "Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace one with another" (Mr 9:50); Paul exhorts, "Live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you" (2Co 13:11; compare Ro 12:18; 1Co 7:15).

(3) God is therefore "the God of peace," the Author and Giver of all good ("peace" including every blessing) very frequently (e.g. Ro 15:33; 16:20; 2Th 3:16, etc., "the Lord of peace"). "Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" is a common apostolic wish or salutation (compare 1Co 1:3; 2Co 1:2, etc.).

(4) We have also "peace" as a greeting (Mt 10:13; Lu 10:5); "a son of peace" (Lu 10:6) is one worthy of it, in sympathy with it; the Lord's own greeting to His disciples was "Peace be unto you" (Lu 24:36; Joh 20:19,21,26), and ere He left them He gave them specially His blessing of "Peace" (Joh 14:27); we have also frequently "Go in peace" (Mr 5:34; Lu 7:50). In Lu 19:38, we have "peace in heaven" (in the acclamation of Jesus on His Messianic entry of Jerusalem).

(5) The peace that Christ brought is primarily spiritual peace from and with God, peace in the heart, peace as the disposition or spirit. He said that He did not come "to send peace on the earth, but a sword," referring to the searching nature of His call and the divisions and clearances it would create. But, of course, the spirit of the gospel and of the Christian is one of peace, and it is a Christian duty to seek to bring war and strife everywhere to an end. This is represented as the ultimate result of the gospel and Spirit of Christ; universal and permanent peace can come only as that Spirit rules in men's hearts.

"Peace" in the sense of silence, to hold one's peace, etc., is in the Old Testament generally the translation of charash, "to be still, or silent" (Ge 24:21; 34:5; Job 11:3); also of chashah, "to hush," "to be silent" (2Ki 2:3,5; Ps 39:2), and of other words. In Job 29:10 ("The nobles held their peace," the King James Version), it is qol, "voice."

In the New Testament we have siopao, "to be silent," "to cease speaking" (Mt 20:31; 26:63; Ac 18:9, etc.); sigao, "to be silent," "not to speak" (Lu 20:26; Ac 12:17); hesuchazo, "to be quiet" (Lu 14:4; Ac 11:18); phimoo, "to muzzle or gag" (Mr 1:25; Lu 4:35).

In Apocrypha eirene is frequent, mostly in the sense of peace from war or strife (Tobit 13:14; Judith 3:1; Ecclesiasticus 13:18; 1 Macc 5:54; 6:49; 2 Macc 14:6, eustatheia equals "tranquillity").

The Revised Version (British and American) has "peace" for "tongue" (Es 7:4; Job 6:24; Am 6:10; Hab 1:13); "at peace with me" for "perfect" (Isa 42:19, margin "made perfect" or "recompensed"); "security" instead of "peaceably" and "peace" (Da 8:25; 11:21,24); "came in peace to the city," for "came to Shalem, a city" (Ge 33:18); "it was for my peace" instead of "for peace" (Isa 38:17); "when they are in peace," for "and that which should have been for their welfare" (Ps 69:22).

W. L. Walker

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. 1. Calm, repose, quiet, tranquility, stillness, silence, calmness, quietness. 2. Amity, harmony. 3. Public tranquillity, good order, quiet. 4. Tranquillity, calmness, quiet of conscience. 5. Harmony, concord, reconciliation, pacification.

Foolish Dictionary

A mythical condition of tranquility frequently reported from the Phillipines.

Moby Thesaurus

Pax Dei, Pax Romana, Peace of God, accord, accordance, affinity, agape, agreement, amity, armistice, arrangement, array, assent, ataraxia, ataraxy, awful silence, bonds of harmony, breathing spell, brotherly love, buffer zone, calm, calmness, caritas, cease-fire, cement of friendship, charity, chorus, coherence, coincidence, commodiousness, communion, community, community of interests, compatibility, composure, concert, concord, concordance, conformance, conformation, conformity, congeniality, congruence, congruency, congruity, consistency, consonance, consort, contemplation, convenience, cooling-off period, cooperation, correspondence, coziness, cushioniness, dead, dead of night, deathlike silence, demilitarized zone, deployment, disposal, disposition, easiness, empathy, equivalence, esprit, esprit de corps, feeling of identity, fellow feeling, fellowship, formation, frictionlessness, friendliness, golden silence, good vibes, good vibrations, happy family, harmoniousness, harmony, hollow truce, homelikeness, homeliness, homeyness, hospitality, hush, hush of night, identity, imperturbability, inaudibility, intersection, kinship, layout, like-mindedness, lineup, love, lucid stillness, lull, luxuriousness, marmoreal repose, marshaling, modus vivendi, mum, mutuality, neutral territory, nirvana, noiselessness, oneness, order, organization, overlap, pacification, parallelism, pax in bello, peace of mind, peaceableness, peacefulness, peacetime, placidity, placidness, proportion, quiescence, quiescency, quiet, quietism, quietness, quietude, rapport, rapprochement, reciprocity, regularity, repose, reposefulness, rest, restfulness, roominess, routine, satori, self-consistency, serenity, setup, sharing, silence, silentness, silken repose, sleep, slumber, snugness, softness, solemn silence, solidarity, soundlessness, stand-down, still, stillness, structure, suspension of hostilities, symmetry, sympathy, symphony, sync, synchronism, system, tacitness, taciturnity, tally, team spirit, temporary arrangement, timing, tomblike silence, tranquillity, treaty of peace, truce, understanding, uniformity, union, unison, unisonance, unity, warmness, whisht, wise passiveness