plebeian - definition, synonyms and pronunciation

Open English WordNet

Noun (1)

one of the common peopleSynonyms: plebType of commoner, common personKinds philistine, anti-intellectualMember of folk, folks

Adjective (1)

of or associated with the great masses of people“the common people in those days suffered greatly”“behavior that branded him as common”“his square plebeian nose”“a vulgar and objectionable person”“the unwashed masses”Synonyms: common vulgar unwashedOpposite nobleSimilar lowborn

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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Ple·be′ian (plē-bē′yan), adjective

Origin: L. plebeius, from plebs, plebis, the common people: cf. F. plébéien.

1. Of or pertaining to the Roman plebs, or common people.

2. Of or pertaining to the common people; vulgar; common; as, plebeian sports; a plebeian throng.

Ple·be′ian noun

1. One of the plebs, or common people of ancient Rome, in distinction from patrician.

2. One of the common people, or lower rank of men.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

The Devil's Dictionary

PLEBEIAN, n. An ancient Roman who in the blood of his country stained nothing but his hands. Distinguished from the Patrician, who was a saturated solution.