peon

Meaning

1. A lowly person; a peasant or serf; a labourer who is obliged to do menial work.
2. A person of low rank or importance.
3. A messenger, foot soldier, or native policeman.

Synonyms

servant

attendant

drudge

messenger

postman

galley slave

menial

navvy

orderly

footman

Trojan

office-boy

cabbage

goof

slave

vegetable

deadhead

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpiː.ən/

Etymology

From a combination of Middle French pion, peon and Spanish peón, both from Late Latin pedōnem (“pedestrian”). Doublet of pawn.