- Peace offering
- Peace Peace, n. [OE. pees, pais, OF. pais, paiz, pes, F. paix,
L. pax, pacis, akin to pacere, paciscere, pacisci, to make an
agreement, and prob. also pangere to fasten. Cf. {Appease},
{Fair}, a., {Fay}, v., {Fang}, {Pacify}, {Pact}, {Pay} to
requite.]
A state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or
agitation; calm; repose; specifically:
(a) Exemption from, or cessation of, war with public enemies.
(b) Public quiet, order, and contentment in obedience to law.
(c) Exemption from, or subjection of, agitating passions;
tranquillity of mind or conscience.
(d) Reconciliation; agreement after variance; harmony;
concord. ``The eternal love and pees.'' --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Peace is sometimes used as an exclamation in commanding silence, quiet, or order. ``Peace! foolish woman.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]
{At peace}, in a state of peace.
{Breach of the peace}. See under {Breach}.
{Justice of the peace}. See under {Justice}.
{Peace of God}. (Law) (a) A term used in wills, indictments, etc., as denoting a state of peace and good conduct. (b) (Theol.) The peace of heart which is the gift of God.
{Peace offering}. (a) (Jewish Antiq.) A voluntary offering to God in token of devout homage and of a sense of friendly communion with Him. (b) A gift or service offered as satisfaction to an offended person.
{Peace officer}, a civil officer whose duty it is to preserve the public peace, to prevent riots, etc., as a sheriff or constable.
{To hold one's peace}, to be silent; to refrain from speaking.
{To make one's peace with}, to reconcile one with, to plead one's cause with, or to become reconciled with, another. ``I will make your peace with him.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
