peon 1
/pee"euhn, pee"on/ , n.
1. (in Spanish America) a farm worker or unskilled laborer; day laborer.
2. (formerly, esp. in Mexico) a person held in servitude to work off debts or other obligations.
3. any person of low social status, esp. one who does work regarded as menial or unskilled; drudge.
[ 1820-30; peón peasant, day laborer pedon- (s. of * pedo ) walker (whence ML pedones infantry, OF peon PAWN 2 ), deriv. of L ped- (s. of pes ) foot ]
peon 2
/pee"euhn, pee"on/ , n. (in India and Sri Lanka)
1. a messenger, attendant, or orderly.
2. a foot soldier or police officer.
[ 1600-10;
peão, F pion foot soldier, pedestrian, day laborer. See PEON 1 ]