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