Peaceably

Peaceably is an adverb describing action conducted in a peaceful and nonviolent manner. It emphasizes harmony and the avoidance of conflict, and it is commonly used in discussions of protests, negotiations, and everyday conduct where force or coercion is undesirable.

Peaceably derives from the adjective peaceable, formed from peace + able, with the adverbial suffix -ly. The term ultimately traces to the Old French paix and the Latin pax, and has been used in English since the medieval period to describe harmonious behavior.

In law and public discourse, peaceably can foreground lawful, nonviolent behavior. A well-known pairing is the right "peaceably to assemble" in the First Amendment, a phrase that has played a central role in discussions of civil liberties and protest.

Examples include "They dispersed peaceably after the announcement" or "The negotiators proceeded peaceably to resolve the dispute."

See also: peace, peaceful, peaceable, nonviolence, civil disobedience, First Amendment rights.