canaille

American  

[kuh-neyl, ka-nah-y^uh] / kəˈneɪl, kaˈnɑ yə /

noun

1. riffraff; rabble.

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canaille British  

/ kanɑj /

noun

1. the masses; mob; rabble

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Etymology

Origin of canaille

1670–80; < French < Italian canaglia pack of dogs, equivalent to can ( e ) dog (< Latin canis ) + -aglia collective suffix

Example Sentences

He knew nothing of that silent middle class that struggled between genteel poverty and the impossible desire of emulating the golden canaille to which he himself belonged.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

When I am in the bill at Les ambassadeurs, the place is always full of English—my songs are canaille, aren't they? really canaille.

From Woman and Artist by O'Rell, Max

"I didn't know that honest men were canaille," retorted Elina, flushing with anger; "I thought no one was ever called by that name but villains and rascals."

From San-Cravate; or, The Messengers; Little Streams by Kock, Charles Paul de

But to think of her partaking of hospitality—all alone, too—with the canaille of Wynford!”

From A Very Naughty Girl by Meade, L. T.

Still, there are others----" "You forget that I have got to rule the canaille in Cahors," he answered impatiently, "as well as these mad clowns, who think that the end of the world is here.

From The Red Cockade by Weyman, Stanley John