n.1 a quiet; tranquillity (needs peace to work well). b mental calm; serenity (peace of mind).
2 a (often attrib.) freedom from or the cessation of war (peace talks). b (esp. Peace) a treaty of peace between two States etc. at war.
3 freedom from civil disorder.
4 Eccl. a ritual liturgical greeting.
Phrases and idioms:
at peace
1. in a state of friendliness.
2 serene.
3 euphem. dead. hold one's peace keep silence. keep the peace prevent, or refrain from, strife. make one's peace (often foll. by with) re-establish friendly relations. make peace bring about peace; reconcile. the peace (or the queen's peace) peace existing within a realm; civil order. Peace Corps US an organization sending young people to work as volunteers in developing countries.
peace-offering
1. a propitiatory or conciliatory gift.
2 Bibl. an offering presented as a thanksgiving to God. peace-pipe a tobacco-pipe as a token of peace among US Indians.
Etymology: ME f. AF pes, OF pais f. L pax pacis