peasantry

[ pez-uh n-tree ]

/ ˈpɛz ən tri /

noun

peasants collectively.

the status or character of a peasant.

Nearby words

Origin of peasantry

First recorded in 1545–55; peasant + -ry

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for peasantry

In the stalk of the rye occurs a knot, forming a slight bulge known to the peasantry as the “sweet joint.”
Creatures of the Night|Alfred W. Rees
A French patois is the language of the peasantry, but English is generally understood.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 6|Various
He was in spirit nearer to the peasantry than many of the Friars who themselves came from the flesh of the peasantry.
Waysiders|Seumas O'Kelly
Here, a great number of peasantry attempted a defense, but were easily defeated and a number of prisoners taken.
St. George for England|G. A. Henty

Our ancestors may be said to have led us on to this proud position, by the gradual emancipation of the peasantry from slavery.
Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 461|Various

British Dictionary definitions for peasantry

peasantry

/ (ˈpɛzəntrɪ) /

noun

peasants as a class

conduct characteristic of peasants

the status of a peasant

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 peasantry

peasantry

1550s, from peasant + -ry.