释义 |
pe·on \ˈpēˌän, ˈpēən, in sense 2c usually pāˈōn\ noun (plural peons \-nz\ ; or peo·nes \-ōˌnās\ ; see numbered senses) Etymology: Portuguese peão & French pion, from Medieval Latin pedon-, pedo foot soldier — more at pawn 1. : any of several Indian or Ceylonese workers: a. : foot soldier b. : constable c. : an office attendant or messenger 2. : a member of the usually landless laboring class in Spanish America: as a. : an agricultural worker or miner of native Indian or mixed blood forced to serve virtually in bondage to creditors b. : an unskilled laborer c. plural usually peones : a bullfighter's attendant 3. plural peons a. : a person held in a state of compulsory servitude to a master (as in the southwestern states formerly part of Mexico) for the working out of an indebtedness b. : a convict laborer in parts of the southeastern United States 4. plural peons : a person occupying a position of subordination or drudgery especially through stupidity or lack of initiative |