Peaceful

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈpiːsfl̩/

Definitions

1. Free from turmoil or agitation, characterized by serenity and harmony
2. Lacking in strife or disruption, marked by a state of calmness and quietude
3. Not disturbed by conflict or noise and having a sense of tranquility ; showing a tendency to avoid violence or encourage harmony

Etymology: Old English had a native word for this sense, "friþsum," which came from "friþ," meaning peace or protection, plus a suffix. The English that replaced it built "peaceful" by simply attaching "-ful" to "peace," a pattern that makes adjectives meaning "full of" the noun, so "peaceful" literally meant "full of peace." The change happened in Middle English, when forms like "peesful" and "pesful" appear, and it took over from the older word. The derivation is transparent, which is why the word needs little explanation. "Peace" itself came into English from Old French "pais," ultimately from Latin "pax," and the "-ful" suffix is the same one found in "hopeful," "careful," and "thankful." Because the suffix attaches to nouns of many kinds, "peaceful" was a natural formation for describing both places and people.

Synonyms: calm, tranquil, serene, placid, harmonious

Antonyms: chaotic, violent, agitated, troubled, disturbed