Word: peasants (noun)

Associations

Peasants are typically small farmers or laborers who work the land. They often live in rural areas and may have limited resources.

• In historical contexts, peasants were often part of a feudal system, working for lords in exchange for protection. For example, "In medieval times, many peasants worked the fields of their lords."
• In modern discussions, the term can refer to people in developing countries who rely on agriculture. For instance, "Many peasants in rural India grow crops for their families."
• The term can also be used metaphorically to describe people with limited education or resources. For example, "He felt like a peasant in the high-society gathering."

A well-known synonym is "farmers," but "farmers" usually refers to those who own land and run a business, while "peasants" often implies a lower social status and less control over their work and resources.

Substitution

Other words that can be used instead of "peasants" include:

• "laborers," which focuses more on the work aspect rather than land ownership.
• "serfs," which specifically refers to peasants bound to a lord's land in the feudal system.
• "farmers," which may imply a more independent status.

Each alternative brings a slightly different meaning, depending on the context.

Deconstruction

The word "peasant" comes from the Old French word "paisant," meaning "rural" or "country." The root "pais" means "country" or "land." The suffix "-ant" is often used to form nouns indicating a person who performs a certain action or relates to a specific quality.

Historically, the term "peasant" has evolved from describing a rural person to being associated with social class and economic status.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you saw or heard about peasants in a movie or book? What was their role?
• How do you think life for peasants today compares to those in the past?
• Have you ever met someone who might be described as a peasant? What was their story?