canaille

[ kuh-neyl; French ka-nah-yuh ]

noun

1. riffraff; rabble.

canaille

/ kanɑj /

noun

1. the masses; mob; rabble

Word History and Origins

Origin of canaille¹

1670–80; < French < Italian canaglia pack of dogs, equivalent to can ( e ) dog (< Latin canis ) + -aglia collective suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of canaille¹

C17: from French, from Italian canaglia pack of dogs

Example Sentences

God would be canaille too in Boston in Massachusetts.

From Literature

“And yet I knew and loved Sonia Armstrong. What do you think, then? That I would not soil my hands with killing such canaille as that man Cassetti? Well, perhaps you are right.”

From Literature

He knew nothing of that silent middle class that struggled between genteel poverty and the impossible desire of emulating the golden canaille to which he himself belonged.

From Literature

Of Berlioz, Wagner, and my humble self, it is no wonder that 'like draws to like,' and, as we are treated as impotent canaille amongst musicians, it is quite natural that we should be on good terms with the canaille among the instruments.

From Project Gutenberg

"I suppose this is the case where the blood of a gentleman boils indignantly at the challenge of the canaille."

From Project Gutenberg