Peons: meaning, definitions and examples

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peons

 

[ หˆpiหษ’nz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

workers

Peons are lowly workers or laborers, typically performing menial tasks or manual labor. The term peon often carries a connotation of low social status and exploitation.

Synonyms

laborers, servants, workers.

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Word Description / Examples
peons

This term is often used in historical or colonial contexts to refer to laborers with little to no rights, often working in agricultural or manual labor under oppressive conditions. It has a negative connotation.

  • In the 19th century, many peons worked on plantations under harsh conditions.
  • The company treated its employees like peons, giving them no benefits or rights.
laborers

Laborers generally refers to people performing physical work, especially manual labor. This term is neutral and can be used in various fields such as construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.

  • The construction site was bustling with laborers putting up scaffolding.
  • Laborers in the factory were required to work long hours.
workers

Workers is a broad and neutral term used to refer to people engaged in various types of employment, from office work to physical labor. It's generally positive or neutral and widely applicable.

  • The workers in the tech company enjoy a lot of benefits and flexible schedules.
  • Factory workers have organized a strike to demand better working conditions.
servants

Servants are individuals employed to perform domestic duties such as cleaning, cooking, and gardening. This term is often associated with service in homes and sometimes has a historical or feudal connotation.

  • The grand mansion had a staff of servants to maintain its opulence.
  • In the 19th century, many families employed servants to manage household chores.

Examples of usage

  • Peons were responsible for cleaning the fields and carrying heavy loads.
  • The company treated its employees like peons, paying them minimal wages for long hours of work.

Translations

Translations of the word "peons" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น peรตes

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเฅ›เคฆเฅ‚เคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Bauern

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ pion

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟั–ัˆั– ั„ั–ะณัƒั€ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ pionki

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒใƒผใƒณ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท pions

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ peones

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท piyonlar

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์กธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจูŠุงุฏู‚

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pฤ›ลกรกci

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ peลกiaci

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ…ต

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ kmetje

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ peรฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถะฐัƒั‹ะฝะณะตั€ะปะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒžแƒแƒ˜แƒแƒœแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ piyada

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ peones

Etymology

The word 'peon' originated from the Spanish and Portuguese word 'peon', which referred to an unskilled laborer or a person of low social status. The term was commonly used in colonial America and was associated with forced labor and servitude. Over time, the term evolved to describe any lowly worker or laborer performing menial tasks. In modern usage, 'peon' is often used to highlight exploitation and inequality in labor practices.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,310, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.