3 ADJ If you say that someone is PC , you mean that they are extremely careful not to offend or upset any group of people in society who have a disadvantage. PC is an abbreviation for 'politically correct'.
pcm pcm is used in advertisements for housing, when indicating how much the rent will be. pcm is a written abbreviation for 'per calendar month'. [BRIT ]
pd pd is a written abbreviation for paid . It is written on a bill to indicate that it has been paid.
PDF /piː diː e f/ N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] PDF files are computer documents which look exactly like the original documents, regardless of which software or operating system was used to create them. PDF is an abbreviation for 'Portable Document Format'. [COMPUTING ] □ The leaflet is in PDF format.
PE /piː iː / N‑UNCOUNT In schools, PE is a lesson in which pupils do physical exercises or sport. PE is an abbreviation for 'physical education'.
pea /piː / (peas ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Peas are round green seeds which grow in long thin cases and are eaten as a vegetable.
peace ◆◆◆ /piː s/
1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] 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 the region.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft at N ] 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.
3 N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] 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 were accused of causing damage to an F1 11 nuclear bomber.
4 N‑UNCOUNT [oft in N ] 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. □ One more question and I'll leave you in peace.
5 N‑UNCOUNT [oft at N ] 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 him.
6 N‑UNCOUNT [oft in N ] 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.
7 N‑COUNT The Peace of a particular place is a treaty or an agreement that was signed there, bringing an end to a war. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ [+ of ] The Peace of Ryswick was signed in September 1697.
8 → see also breach of the peace , Justice of the Peace
9 PHRASE 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.
10 PHRASE 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 U.N. contingent assigned to help keep the peace in Cambodia.
11 PHRASE 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.
12 PHRASE 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 ' or ' RIP ' is also sometimes written on gravestones. [FORMAL ]
peace|able /piː səb ə l/ ADJ Someone who is peaceable tries to avoid quarrelling or fighting with other people. [WRITTEN ] □ …an attempt by ruthless people to impose their will on a peaceable majority.
peace|ably /piː səbli/ ADV [ADV with v] If you do something peaceably , you do it quietly or peacefully, without violence or anger. [WRITTEN ] □ The rival guerrilla groups had agreed to stop fighting and settle their differences peaceably.
Pea ce Corps also peace corps N‑PROPER The Peace Corps is an American organization that sends young people to help with projects in developing countries.
pea ce di vi|dend (peace dividends ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The peace dividend is the economic benefit that was expected in the world after the end of the Cold War, as a result of money previously spent on defence and arms becoming available for other purposes. □ The peace dividend has not materialised despite military spending going down in most countries.
peace|ful ◆◇◇ /piː sfʊl/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Peaceful activities and situations do not involve war. □ He has attempted to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. □ They emphasised that their equipment was for peaceful and not military purposes. ● peace|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The U.S. military expects the matter to be resolved peacefully.
2 ADJ Peaceful occasions happen without violence or serious disorder. □ The farmers staged a noisy but peaceful protest outside the headquarters of the organization. ● peace|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Ten thousand people are reported to have taken part in the protest which passed off peacefully.
3 ADJ Peaceful people are not violent and try to avoid quarrelling or fighting with other people. □ …warriors who killed or enslaved the peaceful farmers. ● peace|ful|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ They've been living and working peacefully with members of various ethnic groups.