Peace , v. t. &
i. To make or become quiet; to be silent;
to stop. [R.]
"Peace your tattlings." Shak.
When the thunder would not peace at my bidding.
Shak.
Peace (?), n. [OE.
pees, pais, OF. pais, paiz, pes, F. paix, L. pax, pacis, akin to pacere, paciscere, pacisci, to make an agreement, and prob. also pangere to fasten. Cf. Appease,
Fair, a.,
Fay, v.,
Fang, Pacify,
Pact, Pay to requite.]
A state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom
from disturbance or agitation; calm; repose; specifically: (a) Exemption from, or cessation of, war with public enemies. (b) Public quiet, order, and contentment in obedience to law. (c) Exemption from, or subjection of, agitating
passions; tranquillity of
mind or conscience. (d) Reconciliation; agreement after variance; harmony; concord. "The eternal love and pees." Chaucer.
&fist; Peace is sometimes used as an exclamation in commanding silence, quiet, or order. "Peace! foolish woman."
Shak.
At peace, in a state of peace. -- Breach of the peace. See under Breach. --
Justice of the peace. See under Justice. -- Peace
of God. (Law) (a) A term used in
wills, indictments, etc., as denoting a state of peace and good conduct. (b) (Theol.) The peace of heart which is the gift of God. -- Peace offering.
(a) (Jewish
Antiq.) A voluntary
offering to God in token
of devout homage and of
a sense of friendly communion with Him. (b) A gift or service offered as satisfaction to an offended person. -- Peace officer, a civil officer whose duty it is to preserve the public peace, to prevent riots, etc., as a sheriff or
constable. -- To hold one's peace, to be silent; to
refrain from speaking. -- To make one's peace with, to reconcile one with, to plead one's cause with, or to become
reconciled with, another. "I will make your peace with him." Shak.
Hear it pronounced