peasantry
Meaning
peasants as a social class or group
the conduct or condition typical of peasants; rustic or uncultured behavior
Structure
Usage
the medieval peasantry formed the backbone of the agrarian economy.
the novel depicts the hardship and resilience of the peasantry.
he accused the aristocracy of exploiting the local peasantry.
Etymology
the word 'peasantry' is built upon the older term 'peasant', which entered english from old french 'paisant', meaning a country dweller or rustic. this french term derives from latin 'pagus', referring to a rural district or village. the suffix '-ry', of old french origin, is added to form a collective noun, denoting the entire class or condition associated with the root word. thus, 'peasantry' literally means "the collective body of those from the country district," evolving to signify both a social stratum and the perceived qualities associated with it.
Analysis
peasant: from old french 'paisant', ultimately from latin 'pagus' (country district). functions as the core noun. ry: a noun-forming suffix of middle english origin, from old french '-erie', indicating a class, condition, or collective body.