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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Peace is sometimes used as an exclamation in commanding silence, quiet, or order. “Peace! foolish woman.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 polliceman, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. & i. To make or become quiet; to be silent; to stop. [ R. ] “Peace your tattlings.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

When the thunder would not peace at my bidding. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OE. peisible, F. paisible. ] Begin in or at peace; tranquil; quiet; free from, or not disposed to, war, disorder, or excitement; not quarrelsome. -- Peace"a*ble*ness, n. -- Peace"a*bly, adv. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Peaceful; pacific; tranquil; quiet; mild; undisturbed; serene; still. -- Peaceable, Peaceful. Peaceable describes the state of an individual, nation, etc., in reference to external hostility, attack, etc.; peaceful, in respect to internal disturbance. The former denotes “in the spirit of peace;” latter; “in the possession or enjoyment of peace.” A peaceable adjustment of difficulties; a peaceful life, scene. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who disturbs the public peace. -- Peace"break`ing, n. [1913 Webster]

a. 1. Possessing or enjoying peace; not disturbed by war, tumult, agitation, anxiety, or commotion; quiet; tranquil; as, a peaceful time; a peaceful country; a peaceful end. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not disposed or tending to war, tumult or agitation; pacific; mild; calm; peaceable; as, peaceful words. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- See Peaceable. [ 1913 Webster ]

--Peace"ful*ly, adv.. -- Peace"ful*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. a member of a military force that is assigned (often with international sanction) to preserve peace in a trouble area. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. someone who keeps peace; as, she's the peacekeeper in that family. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

3. the pistol of a law officer in the old West. [ U. S. History ] [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Without peace; disturbed. Sandys. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. Inclined or disposed to peace; as, peace-loving citizens. Opposed to warlike or belligerent.
Syn. -- peaceable, dovish, pacific. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. One who makes peace by reconciling parties that are at variance. Matt. v. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

--Peace"mak`ing, n. [1913 Webster]

n. someone who prefers negotiations to armed conflict in the conduct of foreign relations. [ Derog. ]
Syn. -- dove. [ WordNet 1.5 ]