plebe

[pleeb]

noun

1. Also (at the U.S. Military and Naval academies) a member of the freshman class.

2. Obsolete.,  plebeian.

plebe

/ pliːb /

noun

1. informal,  a member of the lowest class at the US Naval Academy or Military Academy; freshman

Word History and Origins

Origin of plebe¹

First recorded in 1605–15; short for plebeian

Word History and Origins

Origin of plebe¹

C19: shortened from _plebeian

Example Sentences

He’s one of those sci-fi characters whose normal Earthman name distinguishes him as a plebe among patricians.

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“He wanted to present himself as among ‘the best and the brightest,’ not some common plebe who’d held workaday jobs,” Garrow said of Obama’s first run for the presidency.

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Naval Academy are taking part in the annual Herndon Monument Climb on Wednesday, a ritual that marks the end of their plebe year and some say foreshadows career success.

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It seems there is a tear between the fantasy and real worlds, and the only way Barbie can mend it is by visiting us plebes over here in the rat race.

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They treated the incoming freshmen the same way they had been treated during their plebe year.

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Related Words

• draftee 
• newcomer 
• rookie 
• sailor 
• soldier 
• trainee 
• volunteer