plebeian

noun
/pliˈbiːən/

Etymology

From Latin plēbēius (“a commoner; common”) + -an (adjective-forming suffix), from Latin plēbēs + -ius (adjective-forming suffix), possibly under the influence of Middle French plebeyen, plebein, plebien (“a commoner”) and plebeien (“concerning the common people”). Cf. Medieval Latin plēbēiānus (“a commoner”), from plēbēius + -ānus.

  1. derived from plebes
  2. derived from plēbēius

Definitions

  1. A member of the plebs, the common citizens of ancient Rome.

    • Na plebeane will tak þe dochter of ane patriciane but hir consent.
    • The cognomen was first used in patrician families, who were distinguished from the plebeians by their three names.
  2. A commoner, particularly (derogatory) a low, vulgar person.

    • There blude... vald hef na bettir cullour nor the blude of ane plebien or of ane mecanik craftis man.
    • The feelings of our heart, the agitation of our passions, the vehemence of our affections, dissipate all its conclusions, and reduce the profound philosopher to a mere plebeian.
  3. Of or concerning the plebs, the common citizens of ancient Rome.

    • To what purpose be the plebeian Magistrates ordeined?
  4. + 2 more definitions
    1. Of or concerning the common people.

      • ...priuate person or plebian multitude...
    2. Common, particularly (derogatory) vulgar, crude, coarse, uncultured.

      • For to plebeyan wits, it is as good, As to be silent, as not vnderstood.
      • […] told me love was too plebeian / told me you were through with me

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for plebeian. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA