Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - peace

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. If countries or groups involved in a war or violent conflict are discussing peace, they are talking to each other in order to try to end the conflict. Leaders of some rival factions signed a peace agreement last week... They hope the treaty will bring peace and stability to Southeast Asia. N-UNCOUNT: usu N n 2. If there is peace in a country or in the world, there are no wars or violent conflicts going on. The President spoke of a shared commitment to world peace and economic development. ...the Nobel Peace Prize. ? war N-UNCOUNT: oft at N 3. If you disapprove of weapons, especially nuclear weapons, you can use peace to refer to campaigns and other activities intended to reduce their numbers or stop their use. ...two peace campaigners accused of causing damage to an F1-11 nuclear bomber... N-UNCOUNT: usu N n 4. If you have peace, you are not being disturbed, and you are in calm, quiet surroundings. All I want is to have some peace and quiet and spend a couple of nice days with my grandchildren... One more question and I’ll leave you in peace. N-UNCOUNT: oft in N 5. If you have a feeling of peace, you feel contented and calm and not at all worried. You can also say that you are at peace. I had a wonderful feeling of peace and serenity when I saw my husband... N-UNCOUNT: oft at N 6. If there is peace among a group of people, they live or work together in a friendly way and do not quarrel. You can also say that people live or work in peace with each other. ...a period of relative peace in the country’s industrial relations... N-UNCOUNT: oft in N 7. The Peace of a particular place is a treaty or an agreement that was signed there, bringing an end to a war. (OLD-FASHIONED) The Peace of Ryswick was signed in September 1697. N-IN-NAMES: the N of n 8. see also breach of the peace, Justice of the Peace 9. If you hold or keep your peace, you do not speak, even though there is something you want or ought to say. (FORMAL) ...people who knew about this evil man but held their peace... = keep quiet PHRASE: V inflects 10. If someone in authority, such as the army or the police, keeps the peace, they make sure that people behave and do not fight or quarrel with each other. ...the first UN contingent assigned to help keep the peace in Cambodia... PHRASE: V inflects 11. If something gives you peace of mind, it stops you from worrying about a particular problem or difficulty. He began to insist upon a bullet-proof limousine, just for peace of mind. PHRASE: PHR after v, for PHR 12. If you express the wish that a dead person may rest in peace, you are showing respect and sympathy for him or her. ‘Rest in peace’ is also sometimes written on gravestones. (FORMAL) PHRASE: usu PHR after modal