petite bourgeoisie

[ puh-teet-boor-zhwah-zee; French puh-teet boor-zhwa-zee ]

/ pəˈtit ˌbʊər ʒwɑˈzi; French pə tit bur ʒwaˈzi /

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noun

the portion of the bourgeoisie having the least wealth and lowest social status; the lower middle class.

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Origin of petite bourgeoisie

Borrowed into English from French around 1915–20

Missy, 37, is a petite, bespectacled gal with a green pixie cut, and her arms are adorned with tattoos.
Masters of Alt Sex: SuicideGirls Hits Puberty and Wants to Invade Your TV Set|Marlow Stern|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She was a perky redhead of about 30 with lively blue eyes, a petite figure, and lots of nerve.
Gay Talese on Charlie Manson’s Home on the Range|Gay Talese|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The only thing missing from this bill of particulars was elimination of the bourgeoisie.
Communism's Victims Deserve a Museum|James Kirchick|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They center around two white bourgeoisie women who are the fish out of a water and love proving they can be that dehydrated fish.
Orange Is the New Weeds: The Adventures of Jenji Kohan Across the 8th Dimension|Rich Goldstein, Emily Shire|August 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In 1956, she happened across the petite, blond Lisa Winters boarding a local bus in Miami.
The Queen of the Playboy Centerfolds|Nina Strochlic|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Nothing at all, chère petite madame”—question and answer came many times a day.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
Cela fut cause qu'il fallut retrencher les vivres qu'ils avoient en assez petite quantit.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
La Petite had determined upon trying to fit herself to the strange, narrow existence which she knew awaited her at Cote Joyeuse.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
He was the fourth son of a good bourgeoisie family of Autun, a faithful prelate, an obstinate Royalist and a man of intelligence.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z|Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
Although a bourgeoisie of strict ideas, Mme. du Bruel welcomed the dancer Tullia, who became her daughter-in-law.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z|Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe