Search the Dictionary

Peasants, collectively; the body of rustics. "A bold peasantry." Goldsmith.

A supernatural being supposed by the Irish and Scotch peasantry to warn a family of the speedy death of one of its members, by wailing or singing in a mournful voice under the windows of the house.

he apparent stature, and having, therefore, a very thick sole. Cf. Chopine. In France the peasantry goes barefoot; and the middle sort . . . makes use of wooden clogs. Harvey. Clog almanac, a primitive kind of almanac or calendar, formerly used in England, made by cutting notches and figures on the four edges of a clog…

Lofty in feeling; exultant; pround; upstart. Our painted fools and cockhorse peasantry. Marlowe.

the leader assuming the contemptuous title, Jacques Bonhomme, given by the nobles to the peasantry. Hence, any revolt of peasants.

s land of the proprietors in large tracts, and then rents it out in small portions to the peasantry.

that had opened up so many delightful views into the character and condition of our "bold peasantry, their country's pride." Prof. Wilson.

To reduce to pauperism; as, to pauperize the peasantry.

Whisky; especially, whisky illicitly distilled by the Irish peasantry. [Written also potheen, and potteen.]

summer's pride. Spenser. I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. Zech. ix. 6. A bold peasantry, their country's pride. Goldsmith.

A kind of wooden shoe worn by the peasantry in France, Belgium, Sweden, and some other European countries.

d; tumultuous. "A tumultuary conflict." Eikon Basilike. A tumultuary attack of the Celtic peasantry. Macaulay. Sudden flight or tumultuary skirmish. De Quincey.

ial administrative assembly. Originally it was composed of representatives elected by the peasantry, the householders of the towns, and the landed proprietors. In the reign of Alexander III. the power of the noble landowners was increased, the peasants allowed only to elect candidates from whom the governor of the prov…