plebeian
[pli-bee-uhn]
- belonging or pertaining to the common people.
- of, relating to, or belonging to the ancient Roman plebs.
- common, commonplace, or vulgar: a plebeian joke.
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- a member of the common people.
- a member of the ancient Roman plebs.
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Origin of plebeian
Synonyms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for plebeianism
Historical Examples
What can be more admirable than this ‘de bon air’ plebeianism, and universal right-hand of fellowship?
plebeian
- of, relating to, or characteristic of the common people, esp those of Rome
- lacking refinement; vulgarplebeian tastes
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- one of the common people, esp one of the Roman plebs
- a person who is coarse or lacking in discernment
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Word Origin
C16: from Latin plēbēius belonging to the people, from plēbs the common people of ancient Rome
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for plebeianism
plebeian
adj.
also plebian, "of or characteristic of the lower class," 1560s in a Roman historical sense, from Latin plebeius "belonging to the plebs," earlier plebes, "the populace, the common people" (as opposed to patricians, etc.), also "commonality; the mass, the multitude; the lower class," from PIE *ple- (see pleio-). In general (non-historical) use from 1580s.
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plebeian
n.
"member of the lowest class," 1530s, from Latin plebius "person not of noble rank," from adjective meaning "of the common people" (see plebeian (adj.)).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper