To hold one's peace

To hold one's peace
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.

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  • hold one's peace — {v. phr.}, {formal} To be silent and not speak against something; be still; keep quiet. * /I did not agree with the teacher, but held my peace as he was rather angry./ Compare: HOLD ONE S TONGUE …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • hold one's peace — {v. phr.}, {formal} To be silent and not speak against something; be still; keep quiet. * /I did not agree with the teacher, but held my peace as he was rather angry./ Compare: HOLD ONE S TONGUE …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • hold one's peace — ► hold one s peace remain silent. Main Entry: ↑peace …   English terms dictionary

  • hold one's peace — phrasal : to keep silent : keep one s thoughts to oneself felt it would do no good to complain so held his peace * * * hold one s peace To remain silent • • • Main Entry: ↑peace * * * I see peace II remain silent about somet …   Useful english dictionary

  • To hold one's peace — Hold Hold, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Held}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Holding}. {Holden}, p. p., is obs. in elegant writing, though still used in legal language.] [OE. haldan, D. houden, OHG. hoten, Icel. halda, Dan. holde, Sw. h[*a]lla, Goth. haldan to feed,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • hold\ one's\ peace — v. phr. formal To be silent and not speak against something; be still; keep quiet. I did not agree with the teacher, but held my peace as he was rather angry. Compare: hold one s tongue …   Словарь американских идиом

  • hold one's peace — phrasal see hold one s tongue …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • hold one's peace — See hold one s tongue …   New dictionary of synonyms

  • hold one's peace — be silent and not speak against something, be still Please try and hold your peace during the meeting as it will be to our disadvantage if we have a confrontation …   Idioms and examples

  • hold one's peace — remain silent. → peace …   English new terms dictionary

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