PEASANT Meaning and
Definition
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A peasant is a term referring to an individual who belongs to the lower socioeconomic class, typically living in rural areas and engaged in agricultural or farming occupations. Historically, peasants were the largest social group, responsible for food production and manual labor in feudal societies. Peasants were often tied to the land they worked on, either through serfdom or as tenants, and were subject to the authority of landowners or feudal lords.
In contemporary times, the term peasant may still refer to an agricultural worker, but often carries connotations of poverty, traditional lifestyles, and limited access to education and modern technology. Peasants typically rely on subsistence farming, cultivating crops mainly for their own consumption rather than for commercial purposes. Their livelihoods are often dependent on seasonal variations and factors such as weather conditions and availability of resources.
The concept of a peasant also encompasses cultural and societal aspects. Peasants often have their own distinct customs, traditions, and social structures within their communities. They may adhere to traditional practices, such as folklore, rituals, and values, which have been passed down through generations. Peasants form an integral part of the agrarian economy, contributing to local food security and preserving agricultural knowledge and practices that have sustained societies over centuries.
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• One occupied in rural labour; a countryman; a rustic; a hind.
• Of or relating to peasants; rural.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of PEASANT
The word "peasant" originated from the Old French term "païsant", which was derived from the Late Latin word "pagensis". "Pagensis" referred to a person living in a rural area or countryside, as opposed to a city-dweller. This Latin term was derived from "pagus", which meant "village" or "district". Thus, via Old French, "païsant" eventually evolved into the English word "peasant", which denotes a rural agricultural worker or a person of low social status in a feudal system.
Similar spelling words for PEASANT
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