plebs

[ plebz ]

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. (in ancient Rome) the common people, as contrasted with the patricians and later with the senatorial nobility or the equestrian order.
2. the common people; the populace.

plebs

/ plɛbz /

noun

1. functioning as plural the common people; the masses
2. functioning as singular or plural common people of ancient Rome Compare patrician

Word History and Origins

Origin of plebs¹

First recorded in 1640–50, plebs is from the Latin word plēbs, plēbēs

Word History and Origins

Origin of plebs¹

C17: from Latin: the common people of ancient Rome

Example Sentences

What was once an incredibly chaotic process for us standard plebs is now as easy as adding any other sticker to a Story post.

From Popular-Science

Meanwhile the daily tabloid Sun claimed that his chief whip, Andrew Mitchell, had called police officers guarding No. 10 “plebs.”

From The Daily Beast

The plebs grows threatening by reason of its numbers and the force that numbers carry with them.

From Project Gutenberg

The only other central authority in the state was the king's council or court (eod, witan, plebs, concilium).

From Project Gutenberg

To them exclusively the name of populus applied, as that of plebs was given to the plebeians.

From Project Gutenberg

He falls upon the plebs of the open fields, and his bands put everything to fire and to the sword.

From Project Gutenberg

For this the Romans thirsted—patricians and plebs alike, rich and poor, man, woman and child.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• proletariat
• working class