peon
1[ pee-uh n, pee-on ]
/ ˈpi ən, ˈpi ɒn /
noun
(in Spanish America) a farm worker or unskilled laborer; day laborer.
(formerly, especially in Mexico) a person held in servitude to work off debts or other obligations.
any person of low social status, especially one who does work regarded as menial or unskilled; drudge.
Nearby words
penutian, penza, penzance, penzias, penzias, arno allan, peon, peonage, peony, people, people carrier, people mover
Origin of peon
11820–30; < Spanish peón peasant, day laborer < Vulgar Latin *pedōn- (stem of *pedō) walker (whence Medieval Latin pedōnēs infantry, Old French peon pawn2), derivative of Latin ped- (stem of pēs) foot
Definition for peon (2 of 2)
peon
2[ pee-uh n, pee-on ]
/ ˈpi ən, ˈpi ɒn /
noun (in India and Sri Lanka)
a messenger, attendant, or orderly.
a foot soldier or police officer.
Origin of peon
2Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for peon
British Dictionary definitions for peon (1 of 2)
peon
1/ (ˈpiːən, ˈpiːɒn) /
noun
a Spanish-American farm labourer or unskilled worker
(formerly in Spanish America) a debtor compelled to work off his debts
any very poor person
Word Origin for peon
C19: from Spanish peón peasant, from Medieval Latin pedō man who goes on foot, from Latin pēs foot; compare Old French paon pawn ²
British Dictionary definitions for peon (2 of 2)
peon
2/ (pjuːn, ˈpiːən, ˈpiːɒn) /
noun (in India, Sri Lanka, etc, esp formerly)
a messenger or attendant, esp in an office
a native policeman
a foot soldier
Word Origin for peon
C17: from Portuguese peão orderly; see peon 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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