peon Hear it!

peon Definition

peon (än′, -ən; for 3, Brit usually pyo̵̅o̅n)

noun

  1. in Spanish America,
    1. a person of the landless laboring class
    2. Historical a person forced to work off a debt or to perform penal servitude
  2. Historical in the SW U.S., a person forced into servitude to work off a debt
  3. in India,
    1. a foot soldier
    2. a native policeman
    3. an attendant or messenger
  4. an unskilled or exploited laborer

Etymology: < Sp peón or (in peon sense ) Port peão, both < ML pedo, foot soldier: see pawn

peon Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

other: The special person statements consisted of every child saying one positive thing about every other peon in the class.

Preposition: in

poncho: Images of somberos and peons in ponchos belong to the films.

Browse dictionary entries near peon

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  2. Penzance
  3. Penza
  4. Penutian
  5. penury
  6. penurious
  7. penumbra
  8. penultimate
  9. penult
  10. penuchle
  1. peonage
  2. peony
  3. people
  4. people mover
  5. People's Daily
  6. People's party
  7. People's Republic of China
  8. -people
  9. peopled
  10. Peoria