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peaceful

[pees-fuh l]
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adjective
  1. characterized by peace; free from war, strife, commotion, violence, or disorder: a peaceful reign; a peaceful demonstration.
  2. of, relating to, or characteristic of a state or time of peace.
  3. peaceable; not argumentative, quarrelsome, or hostile: a peaceful disposition.
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Origin of peaceful

First recorded in 1250–1300, peaceful is from the Middle English word pesful. See peace, -ful
Related formspeace·ful·ly, adverbpeace·ful·ness, nounqua·si-peace·ful, adjectivequa·si-peace·ful·ly, adverbsem·i·peace·ful, adjectivesem·i·peace·ful·ly, adverbun·peace·ful, adjectiveun·peace·ful·ly, adverb
Can be confusedpeaceable peaceful (see synonym study at the current entry)

Synonyms

See more synonyms for peaceful on Thesaurus.com
1. Peaceful, placid, serene, tranquil refer to what is characterized by lack of strife or agitation. Peaceful today is rarely applied to persons; it refers to situations, scenes, and activities free of disturbances or, occasionally, of warfare: a peaceful life. Placid, serene, tranquil are used mainly of persons; when used of things (usually elements of nature) there is a touch of personification. Placid suggests an unruffled calm that verges on complacency: a placid disposition; a placid stream. Serene is a somewhat nobler word; when used of persons it suggests dignity, composure, and graciousness: a serene old man; when applied to nature there is a suggestion of mellowness: the serene landscapes of autumn. Tranquil implies a command of emotions, often because of strong faith, which keeps one unagitated even in the midst of excitement or danger.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for peacefully

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • He married Aldonza at Michaelmas, and all went well and peacefully in the household.

    The Armourer's Prentices

    Charlotte M. Yonge

  • "I 'ain't got nothin' to tell, dear," answered Dilly, peacefully.

    Meadow Grass

    Alice Brown

  • Therese peacefully watched the activity of his movements round about her.

    Therese Raquin

    Emile Zola

  • Let us interrogate the great apparition, that shines so peacefully around us.

    Nature

    Ralph Waldo Emerson

  • It was quiet––oddly, peacefully quiet for a second––in that long room.

British Dictionary definitions for peacefully

peaceful

adjective
  1. not in a state of war or disagreement
  2. tranquil; calm
  3. not involving violencepeaceful picketing
  4. of, relating to, or in accord with a time of peacepeaceful uses of atomic energy
  5. inclined towards peace
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Derived Formspeacefully, adverbpeacefulness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for peacefully

peaceful

adj.

early 14c., "inclined to peace, friendly, pacific," from peace + -ful. Meaning "tranquil, calm, full of peace" is from mid-14c. In reference to nonviolent methods of effecting social change, it is attested from 1876. Related: Peacefully; peacefulness. Peaceful coexistence (1920) originally was in regard to Soviet policy toward the capitalist West.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper