English Explanatory Dictionary

plebeian

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A member of the plebs, the common citizens of ancient Rome.
  2. A commoner, particularly (derogatory) a low, vulgar person.
adj
  1. Of or concerning the plebs, the common citizens of ancient Rome.
  2. Of or concerning the common people.
  3. Common, particularly (derogatory) vulgar, crude, coarse, uncultured.

Pronunciation

/pliˈbiːən/ /plɛbˈiːən/ en-us-plebeian.ogg

Word forms

plebeian plebeians plebian plebeyan plebean plebeane plebien more plebeian most plebeian

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.

Synonyms

commoner pleb plebe villain peasant nobody of pertaining to the common people

Antonyms

patrician noble aristocrat aristocratic

Related words

plebe plebs plebeiance plebeianism plebeity plebeiate

Derived words

pleb plebeianization plebeianize plebeianly plebeianness
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