proletary

American  

[proh-li-ter-ee] / ˈproʊ lɪˌtɛr i /

adjective

proletaries plural

1. proletarian.

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Etymology

Origin of proletary

1570–80; < Latin prōlētārius belonging to the lowest class of Roman citizens, i.e., those who contributed to the state only through their offspring, equivalent to prōlēt- (akin to prōlēs offspring; pro- pro- ¹ + -olēs ( see adult)) + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

proletary

Thus the complacent, musing upper thought in the mind and on the lips of the proletary as he wended his way through the quiet and well-nigh deserted streets to the older part of the town.

From The Price by Lynde, Francis

They are equal in the eyes of the proletary.

From The Onlooker, Volume 1, Part 2 by Lewis, Alfred Henry

England has a proletary population, the lowest in Europe; we have three million of proletaries lower than the "pauper laborers" of England, which the whig protectionists hold up to us in terror.

From Speeches, Addresses, and Occasional Sermons, Volume 3 (of 3) by Parker, Theodore

Whether proletary or not, there was nothing about him to offend the taste of the best-born of ladies.

From Marion Fay by Trollope, Anthony

Then she had told herself that if any such a one should come,—if at any time any should be allowed by herself to come,—he should be estimated by his merits, whether Duke or proletary.

From Marion Fay by Trollope, Anthony