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

"Cette canaille de R�publique!" murmured in my ear, as we drove off, my friend and host, whose sympathies were entirely with the ancien r�gime.

From A New Medley of Memories by Hunter-Blair, David

"And am I to see my father's name insulted, and his house dishonored by such a canaille crew as this?"

From That Boy Of Norcott's by Lever, Charles James

I am not so fastidious as Dr. Grey, and one who sprang from canaille must be pardoned if she betrays a longing for the ‘flesh-pots of Egypt.’

From Vashti or, Until Death Us Do Part by Wilson, Augusta J. Evans

But they were a new thing then, and the Assembly, as much outraged as alarmed by this second trespass on its dignity, could only look at its President, and mutter wrathful threats against the canaille.

From The Red Cockade by Weyman, Stanley John