Justice of the peace

Justice of the 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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  • justice of the peace — justice of the peace: a local judicial official who is empowered chiefly to administer oaths, perform marriage ceremonies, certify documents, and in some states may have additional judicial powers (as to issue summonses) Merriam Webster’s… …   Law dictionary

  • Justice of the peace — Justice Jus tice (j[u^]s t[i^]s), n. [F., fr. L. justitia, fr. justus just. See {Just}, a.] [1913 Webster] 1. The quality of being just; conformity to the principles of righteousness and rectitude in all things; strict performance of moral… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • justice of the peace — ˌjustice of the ˈpeace abbreviation JP noun justices of the peace PLURALFORM [countable] LAW a magistrate (= type of judge) in Britain and in some US states who judges less serious cases in lower law courts: • …   Financial and business terms

  • Justice of the Peace — (engl., spr. dschößtĭß ŏf thĕ pihß), Friedensrichter (s. Friedensrichte) …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Justice of the Peace — n JP someone who judges less serious cases in small law courts and, in the US, can perform marriage ceremonies …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Justice of the Peace — noun count a government official similar to a judge who works in the lower courts and can perform marriage ceremonies: MAGISTRATE …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Justice of the Peace — ► NOUN ▪ (in the UK) a lay magistrate appointed to hear minor cases, grant licences, etc., in a town or county …   English terms dictionary

  • Justice of the peace — (engl., spr. dschöstīs ŏw dhĕ pīß), Friedensrichter, s. Friedensgerichte …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • justice of the peace — n. in some states, a magistrate with jurisdiction over a small district, authorized to decide minor cases, commit persons to trial in a higher court, perform marriages, etc …   English World dictionary

  • Justice of the Peace — A Justice of the Peace (JP) is a puisne judicial officer appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice and deal with local administrative applications in common law… …   Wikipedia

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