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kiss of peace

American  

noun

  1. (in certain Christian churches) a ceremonial greeting or embrace given as a token of Christian love and unity.

  2. a ceremonial kiss formerly given, especially at a baptism or Eucharistic service, as a token of Christian love and unity.

Etymology

Origin of kiss of peace

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And we stood, and gave the kiss of peace.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2019

The contact is accidental, yet they appear to be exchanging an ever-so-tender kiss of peace.

From New York Times • Jun. 2, 2016

When one church let parishioners move the kiss of peace to the start of the service, he looked the other way.

From Chicago Tribune • Nov. 15, 2014

Henry repeatedly and ominously refused to exchange the kiss of peace with him, and the archbishop knew his stand against royal demands was likely to end badly.

From The Guardian • May 18, 2012

The Perfect were adored, and the kiss of peace was passed round.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5 "Cat" to "Celt" by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.