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proletary

American  
[proh-li-ter-ee] / ˈproʊ lɪˌtɛr i /

adjective

  • proletaries
    plural
  1. proletarian.


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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

But to live with his wife like a proletary, in St. Petersburg, among her brilliant relations and friends, he could not bring himself to do.

From Asbe?n From the Life of a Virtuoso by Ossip Schubin

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

From Marion Fay by Anthony Trollope

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 Francis Lynde

They are equal in the eyes of the proletary.

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

"Therefore, as I was about to say, the proletary draws to himself the money of the country," resumed Grossetete.

From The Village Rector by Katharine Prescott Wormeley

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