peon
pronunciation
How to pronounce peon in British English:
UK [ˈpi:ən]
How to pronounce peon in American English:
US [ˈpiˌɑn, ˈpiən]
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- Noun:
- a laborer who is obliged to do menial work
Word Origin
- peon (n.)
- unskilled worker, 1826, from Mexican Spanish peon "agricultural laborer" (especially a debtor held in servitude by his creditor), from Spanish peon "day laborer," also "pedestrian," originally "foot soldier," from Medieval Latin pedonem "foot soldier" (see pawn (n.2)). The word entered British English earlier (c. 1600) in the sense "native constable, soldier, or messenger in India," via Portuguese peao "pedestrian, foot soldier, day laborer."
Example
- 1. The investment future peon will be .
- 2. To me you 'll always be a sweet little peon , a flower girl from old mexico .
- 3. The trustee shall be a natural peon or legal person who has full capability for civil conduct .
- 4. I was treated as a peon by plenty of people .
- 5. There 's this one girl tanya , she treats me like a total peon .