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

"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

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.

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

And by-and-by, when the bourgeoisie is frightened of the canaille and tired of the blood-letting, your Vellington he will be the Emperor.

From Chippinge Borough by Weyman, Stanley J.