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lumpenproletariat

[ luhm-puhn-proh-li-tair-ee-uht ]
/ ˈlʌm pənˌproʊ lɪˈtɛər i ət /

noun (sometimes initial capital letter)(esp. in Marxist theory)

the lowest level of the proletariat comprising unskilled workers, vagrants, and criminals and characterized by a lack of class identification and solidarity.

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Origin of lumpenproletariat

1920–25; <German (Marx, 1850), equivalent to Lumpen rag or Lumpen-, combining form of Lump ragamuffin + Proletariatproletariat

Words nearby lumpenproletariat

lummox, lump, lumpectomy, lumpen, lumpenprole, lumpenproletariat, lumper, lumpfish, lump hammer, lump in one's throat, lumpish
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for lumpenproletariat

lumpenproletariat
/ (ˌlʌmpənˌprəʊlɪˈtɛərɪət) /

noun

(esp in Marxist theory) the amorphous urban social group below the proletariat, consisting of criminals, tramps, etc

Word Origin for lumpenproletariat

German, literally: ragged proletariat
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012