Dictionary

peacen en · VERB

Etymology

From peace + -en.

Meanings

1. (ambitransitive, nonstandard, rare) To make peaceful; calm; quieten
   • The development of the cerebral cortex introduced into the human brain the ability to ignore or override those instincts/reflexes that limit aggressive behavior in animals. The physiologically triggered "peacening" responses that occur in an aggressive animal when submission is signaled by his opponent are easily overridden by the press of the human intellect determined to achieve the conceptual reality for which aggression is initiated. 1990, Richard A. Gabriel, The Culture of War: Invention and Early Development, page 12:
   • It was late in March, time the Alley peacened down to women, littlest children, and an occasional big boy fight. 1968, Antioch review, volume 28, page 493:
   • "I thought maybe de little feller mought 'a' been sont to me—jes' to me —ma'am— but all de planets p'ints de yether way, now, an' I rej'ices in his riches— so I gwine peacen my sperit again, and give 'way to de Lord's will." 1903, Ruth McEnery Stuart, George Washington Jones: A Christmas Gift that Went A-begging:

Forms

Relateds

pacify