peasantry

American  

[pez-uhn-tree] / ˈpɛz ən tri /

noun

1. peasants collectively.

2. the status or character of a peasant.

---

peasantry British  

/ ˈpɛzəntrɪ /

noun

1. peasants as a class

2. conduct characteristic of peasants

3. the status of a peasant

---

Etymology

Origin of peasantry

First recorded in 1545–55; peasant + -ry

Example Sentences

Mr. Harding quotes the volume Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry for a description of this curious scion of a wild boar and a native highland sow.

From Time Magazine Archive

Reminiscences of her friends among the Tuscan Peasantry.

From A Catalogue of Books in English Later than 1700 (Vol 1 of 3) Forming a portion of the library of Robert Hoe by Various

As this last Medicine may be too costly in Country Places for the poor Peasantry; they may drink, in Lieu of it, very clear Whey, sweetened with a little Honey.

From Advice to the people in general, with regard to their health by Tissot, S. A. D. (Samuel Auguste David)

Sm. post 8vo. 3s. 6d.Ballads and Songs of the Peasantry of England, taken down from oral recitation, and transcribed from private manuscripts, rare broadsides, and scarce publications.

From A Classified Catalogue of Selected Works Published by George Bell and Sons November, 1892 by Anonymous

Misquotation.—In an article entitled "Popular Ballads of the English Peasantry," a correspondent of "N. & Q."

From Notes and Queries, Number 213, November 26, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Geneologists, etc. by Bell, George