Etymology From Middle English pees, pes, pais, borrowed from Anglo-Norman peis and Old French pais (“peace”), from Latin pāx (“peace”), from Proto-Indo-European *peh₂ḱ- (“to fasten, stick, place”), related to Latin pacīscor (“agree, stipulate”), Latin pangō (“fasten, fix”); see pact. Doublet of pax. Displaced native Old English sibb and broadly ousted friþ (modern frith).
1
Usually A state of tranquility, quiet, and harmony. For instance, a state free from civil disturbance.
Our lounge strives to maintain an environment of peace for the comfort of our customers.
*Thinke not that I am come to ſend peace on earth: I came not to ſend peace, but a ſword.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 10:34:
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Naomi boasted in nothing but the God of Israel. And she found peace even in the midst of chaos when she went to Him in prayer.2001, Carol Stream, Unshaken:
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Usually A feeling of tranquility, free from oppressive and unpleasant thoughts and emotions.
The safety equipment will give me some peace of mind.
’Twere best at once to sink to peace, Like birds the charming serpent draws, To drop head-foremost in the jaws Of vacant darkness and to cease.1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XXXIV”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 53:
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Usually Harmony in personal relations.
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Usually A state free of war, in particular war between different countries.
1969 March 31, John Lennon, Bagism Press Conference at Sacher Hotel, Vienna Now, a lot of cynics have said, “Oh, it’s easy to sit in bed for seven days,” but I’d like some of them to try it, and talk for seven days about peace. All we’re saying is give peace a chance.
1993, Mark Berry as "King Harkinian", a character in Animation Magic, Link: The Faces of Evil, Philips Interactive Media (publ.). My boy, this peace is what all true warriors strive for.
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An uneasy peace descended upon Northern Ireland when the IRA agreed to a ceasefire in August 1994.1996, Oliver Lindsay, Once a Grenadier: The Grenadier Guards 1945-1995, page 374:
Whether modern, industrial man is less or more warlike than his hunter-gatherer ancestors is impossible to determine.[…]One thing that is true, though, is that murder rates have fallen over the centuries, as policing has spread and the routine carrying of weapons has diminished. Modern society may not have done anything about war. But peace is a lot more peaceful.2013 July 20, “Old soldiers?”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8845:
Etymology From Middle English pees, pes, pais, borrowed from Anglo-Norman peis and Old French pais (“peace”), from Latin pāx (“peace”), from Proto-Indo-European *peh₂ḱ- (“to fasten, stick, place”), related to Latin pacīscor (“agree, stipulate”), Latin pangō (“fasten, fix”); see pact. Doublet of pax. Displaced native Old English sibb and broadly ousted friþ (modern frith).
“Hark!” said the old woman, triumphantly. “I hear a step coming. […] Do you hear him?” “I believe you are right, mother,” replied Alice, in a low voice. “Peace! open the door.”1846 October 1 – 1848 April 1, Charles Dickens, Dombey and Son, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1848, →OCLC:
"Peace, my lord, thou utterest treason! Hast forgot the king's command? Remember I am party to thy crime, if I but listen."1882, Mark Twain, chapter 6, in The Prince and the Pauper:
Etymology From Middle English pees, pes, pais, borrowed from Anglo-Norman peis and Old French pais (“peace”), from Latin pāx (“peace”), from Proto-Indo-European *peh₂ḱ- (“to fasten, stick, place”), related to Latin pacīscor (“agree, stipulate”), Latin pangō (“fasten, fix”); see pact. Doublet of pax. Displaced native Old English sibb and broadly ousted friþ (modern frith).
1
To make peace; to put at peace; to be at peace.
Within every hood they have to be peacing with themselves. Then when you're living in peace with yourself, [...]1997, Yusuf Jah, Shah'Keyah Jah, Uprising, page 49:
In another northern species, ptarmigan, such a see-saw pattern between warring and peacing has indeed been observed by researchers.2006, Wayne Grady, Bringing back the dodo: lessons in natural and unnatural history:
Fuck, man. Yeah, I know. He crashed with this guy, Eddie. Then the cops called me in. That's when he peaced. I swear on my father's grave, I don't know where he went. I swear.2012, Jens Lapidus, Easy Money: