populace

[ pop-yuh-luhs ]

noun

1. the common people of a community, nation, etc., as distinguished from the higher classes.
2. all the inhabitants of a place; population.

populace

/ ˈpɒpjʊləs /

noun

1. the inhabitants of an area
2. the common people; masses

Word History and Origins

Origin of populace¹

1565–75; < French < Italian popolaccio, equivalent to popol ( o ) people + -accio pejorative suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of populace¹

C16: via French from Italian popolaccio the common herd, from popolo people, from Latin populus