breach of the peace

3 definitions found

breach of the peace - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Peace \Peace\, n. [OE. pees, pais, OF. pais, paiz, pes, F. paix,
     L. pax, pacis, akin to pacere, paciscere, pacisci, to make an
     agreement, and prob. also pangere to fasten. Cf. Appease,
     Fair, a., Fay, v., Fang, Pacify, Pact, Pay to
     requite.]
     A state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or
     agitation; calm; repose; specifically:
     (a) Exemption from, or cessation of, war with public enemies.
     (b) Public quiet, order, and contentment in obedience to law.
     (c) Exemption from, or subjection of, agitating passions;
         tranquillity of mind or conscience.
     (d) Reconciliation; agreement after variance; harmony;
         concord. "The eternal love and pees." --Chaucer.
         [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Peace is sometimes used as an exclamation in commanding
           silence, quiet, or order. "Peace! foolish woman."
           --Shak.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     At peace, in a state of peace.
  
     Breach of the peace. See under Breach.
  
     Justice of the peace. See under Justice.
  
     Peace of God. (Law)
     (a) A term used in wills, indictments, etc., as denoting a
         state of peace and good conduct.
     (b) (Theol.) The peace of heart which is the gift of God.
  
     Peace offering.
     (a) (Jewish Antiq.) A voluntary offering to God in token of
         devout homage and of a sense of friendly communion with
         Him.
     (b) A gift or service offered as satisfaction to an offended
         person.
  
     Peace officer, a civil officer whose duty it is to preserve
        the public peace, to prevent riots, etc., as a polliceman,
        sheriff or constable.
  
     To hold one's peace, to be silent; to refrain from
        speaking.
  
     To make one's peace with, to reconcile one with, to plead
        one's cause with, or to become reconciled with, another.
        "I will make your peace with him." --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]

breach of the peace - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  breach of the peace
      n 1: any act of molesting, interrupting, hindering, agitating,
           or arousing from a state of repose or otherwise depriving
           inhabitants of the peace and quiet to which they are
           entitled [syn: disorderly conduct, disorderly behavior,
           disturbance of the peace, breach of the peace]

breach of the peace - Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) :

  BREACH OF THE PEACE. A violation of public order; the offence of disturbing 
  the public peace. One guilty of this offence may be held to bail for his 
  good behaviour. An act of public indecorum is also a breach of the peace. 
  The remedy for this offence is by indictment. Vide Pace,