peacemaker
(ˈpiːsˌmeɪkə(r))
[f. as prec. + maker.]
One who makes or brings about peace; one who allays strife or reconciles opponents.
| 1436 Libel Eng. Policy in Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 203 Pease makers, as Mathew writeth aryght, Shull be called the sonnes of God allemight. 1534 Tindale Matt. v. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers [1526, ‘maynteyners of peace’]. 1600 Shakes. A.Y.L. v. iv. 108 Your If is the onely peace-maker. 1715 Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 57 If peace-makers be blessed, peace-preservers will not want their own share. 1867 Freeman Norm. Conq. I. v. 315 The Roman Bishop appears in his proper character of a common peacemaker. |
† b. In the colony of Pennsylvania, the name for a Justice of the Peace. Obs.
| 1683 Col. Rec. Pennsylv. I. 66 The Question was asked in Councill whether Peace Makers should sitt once a month. |
c. Humorous term for a revolver, gun, or warship, as decisively settling a dispute.
| 1841 Lever C. O'Malley vii. 40 The small mahogany box, which contained his peace-makers. 1861 Lowell Biglow P. Poems 1890 II. 226 A feller.., Lep' up an' drawed his peace⁓maker, an', ‘Dash it, Sir’, suz he. 1880 (title) Dr. J. H. McLean's Peace Makers. A description of the Guns, &c., manufactured by McLean and Coloney. |
So ˈpeaceˌmaking n., the action of making or bringing about peace; reconciliation of opponents; conclusion of peace; ˈpeaceˌmaking a., that makes or brings about peace.
| 1556 Olde Antichrist 62 b, The great and peacemaking Emperour. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 375 Certen articles of y⊇ same peacemaking. 1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. li. 19 Christ with the true..peacemaking or atonement. 1643 Milton Divorce i. vi, That the law should be made more provident of peacemaking then the Gospel! 1878 Stubbs Const. Hist. III. xviii. 226 The peacemaking duke who fell at Northampton. 1887 Pall Mall G. 24 Jan. 1/2 It may seem like fiddling while Rome is burning to talk of peacemaking at such a moment. |