peon

English

/ˈpiː.ən/, /ˈpi.ɑn/, /pɪˈuːn/

noun
Definitions
  • A lowly person; a peasant or serf; a labourer who is obliged to do menial work.
  • (figurative) A person of low rank or importance.
  • (India) A messenger, foot soldier, or native policeman.

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French pion borrowed from Spanish, Castilian peón derived from Latin pedō.

Origin

Latin

pedō

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms