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peace sign

peace sign

6 2.9
A circle with three lines that people use to show a wish for no war
  • noun
  • /piːs saɪn/
translation icon : símbolo de la paz
  • The artist painted a large peace sign on the wall to symbolize their message against war.

And she gave me the peace sign and they weren't toes.

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Examples

  • Jenny gives Forrest the peace sign as the bus pulls away.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Leaving, she flashed the peace sign and gave me her don't-hate-me look.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • I like that peace sign.

  • I gave him the peace sign across the table.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • My idea of a better world is eye contact, a smile, and a peace sign.

    Blog text (28)
  • One of them drove a white van with a big yellow peace sign emblazoned on the side.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • "Woodstock," James says, raising two fingers in the peace sign.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • He flashed me the peace sign.

  • Hippie flashing a peace sign.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Hendricks smiled, raised his hand, and gave Morrison the peace sign.

    Fiction book (1997)

Synonyms

symbol of peace
vspeace sign
2 3.1

A thing that shows peace, like a white dove or an olive branch

is the specific three lines circle design rather than any general object
peace symbol
vspeace sign
1 2.6

A simple sign with three lines in a circle that shows peace

is that same three lines circle design associated with anti war movements

Surface Forms

peace sign singular
peace signs plural

Morphology

peace + sign

The meaning 'a symbol representing peace' is directly derivable from combining 'peace' (the concept) with 'sign' (a symbol or indication), following a common noun+noun compositional pattern that learners can readily interpret. Although the particular graphic form (the three-line circle) is a conventional cultural symbol, a B1 learner who knows both constituent words would generally infer that it denotes a sign for peace.

Etymology

The peace sign was made for a campaign to stop nuclear weapons: the designer put flag signals for the letters N and D together inside a circle to mean 'nuclear disarmament'. Because people used it at many protests, the peace sign came to mean 'peace' and opposition to war.