peon Definition
peon (pē′än′, -ən; for 3, Brit usually pyo̵̅o̅n)
noun
- in Spanish America,
- a person of the landless laboring class
- Historical a person forced to work off a debt or to perform penal servitude
- ☆ Historical in the SW U.S., a person forced into servitude to work off a debt
- in India,
- a foot soldier
- a native policeman
- an attendant or messenger
- 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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