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Definition of plebeian - 4 dictionary results

ple⋅be⋅ian

  [pli-bee-uhn]
Use plebeian in a Sentence
–adjective
1. belonging or pertaining to the common people.
2. of, pertaining to, or belonging to the ancient Roman plebs.
3. common, commonplace, or vulgar: a plebeian joke.
–noun
4. a member of the common people.
5. a member of the ancient Roman plebs.
Origin:
1525–35; < L plēbēi(us) of the plebs (plēbē(s) plebs + -ius adj. suffix) + -an

Related forms:
ple⋅be⋅ian⋅ism, noun
ple⋅be⋅ian⋅ly, adverb
ple⋅be⋅ian⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
3. lowbrow, low, ordinary, popular.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To plebeian
ple·be·ian   (plĭ-bē'ən)   
adj.  
  1. Of or relating to the common people of ancient Rome: a plebeian magistrate.
  2. Of, belonging to, or characteristic of commoners.
  3. Unrefined or coarse in nature or manner; common or vulgar: plebeian tastes.
n.  
  1. One of the common people of ancient Rome.
  2. A member of the lower classes.
  3. A vulgar or coarse person.

[From Latin plēbius, from plēbs, plēb-, the common people; see pelə-1 in Indo-European roots.]
ple·be'ian·ism n., ple·be'ian·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Plebeian

Ple*be"ian\ (pl[-e]*b[=e]"yan), a. [L. plebeius, from plebs, plebis, the common people: cf. F. pl['e]b['e]ien.]

1. Of or pertaining to the Roman plebs, or common people.

2. Of or pertaining to the common people; vulgar; common; as, plebeian sports; a plebeian throng.

Plebeian

Ple*be"ian\, n. 1. One of the plebs, or common people of ancient Rome, in distinction from patrician.

2. One of the common people, or lower rank of men.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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