pease

See also: Pease

Contents

English

Etymology 1

From Middle English pesen (plural of pese (“pea”)), from Old English pisan, nominative and accusative plural of Old English pise (“pea”), from Late Latin pisa, variant of Latin pisum (“pea”), from Ancient Greek πίσον (píson), variant of πίσος (písos).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /piːz/
• Rhymes: -iːz

Noun

pease (plural peasen)

1. (archaic) A pea.

Usage notes

• The original singular was pease, and the plural was peasen. Over the centuries, pease became used as the plural, peasen was dropped, pea was created as a new singular, and finally pease was respelled peas.

Related terms

• pease porridge
• pease pudding

Etymology 2

From Anglo-Norman paiser, pesser et al., Old French paisier, aphetic form of apaisier (“to appease”). Probably also partly from aphetic use of appease.

Verb

pease (third-person singular simple present peases, present participle peasing, simple past and past participle peased)

1. (obsolete) To make peace between (conflicting people, states etc.); to reconcile.
2. (obsolete) To bring (a war, conflict) to an end.
3. (obsolete) To placate, appease (someone).
   • 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, Matthew XXVIII:

     And yf this come to the rulers eares, we wyll pease him, and make you safe.