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

Words nearby petite bourgeoisie

petit beurre, petit bourgeois, petit déjeuner, petite, petite bourgeoise, petite bourgeoisie, petite marmite, petit feu, petit four, petition, petitionary

How to use petite bourgeoisie in a sentence

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