pəˈsifik, -fēk adjective
Etymology: Middle French pacifique, from Latin pacificus, from pac-, pax peace + -i- + -ficus -fic — more at peace
1.
a. : tending to lessen conflict and promote compromise : conciliatory
the effect of his pacific policy was that, in his time, no regular troops were needed — T.B.Macaulay
b. : rejecting the use of force as an instrument of policy : peaceful
make recommendations to the parties with a view to a pacific settlement of the dispute — U.N. Charter
2.
a. : having a soothing appearance or effect : calm , tranquil
cloud packs pass over it in soft, cumulus, pacific towers — Hugh MacLennan
b. : characterized by mildness of temper or disposition : disinclined to quarrel : peaceable
a naturally pacific , sociable man — Glenway Wescott
the polite and pacific … cultures of India and China — Lewis Mumford
3. usually capitalized
[from Pacific ocean]
: of or relating to the Pacific ocean
Pacific barracuda
ferrying … troops to Pacific battlefronts — Howell Walker
specifically : polynesian 3
the Pacific islands, east of Australia — L.F. de Beaufort
Synonyms:
peaceable , peaceful , pacifist , pacifistic , irenic : pacific is often used in reference to an individual or group enjoying peace and harboring no desire to arouse contention, strife, or war, more often to those exerting effort and influence to abate strife and attain to peace or to a state of tranquillity
the pacific temper, which seeks to settle disputes on grounds of justice rather than by force — Bertrand Russell
adoption of the resolutions came at a pacific final session of the convention after three days of fierce dissension — New York Times
peaceable stresses enjoyment of peace as a way of life
the primitive state of man, peaceable, contented, and sociable — William Bartram
and may be used as the antonym of forceful or warlike
they told us … that if peaceable means failed, they would seize little Jule — Herman Melville
peaceful suggests absence of strife or contention as well as of disturbing influences
peaceful sisterhood, receive, and yield me sanctuary — Alfred Tennyson
pacifist and pacifistic concern peace only as contrasted with war; they refer to efforts to prevent or stop wars and to settle the issues involved by conference and compromise
pacifist means have been variously termed “nonviolent coercion”, “war without violence”, “passive resistance” — M.Q.Sibley
irenic concerns peace originally in connection with religious controversy and may refer to attitudes or measures likely to allay dispute
lived to see his synod adopt a very irenic attitude towards its former antagonists — J.M.Rohne