Plebeian

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /pləˈbiː.É™n/
• Rhymes: -iːən

Alternative forms

• plebian

Origin

Latin plebeius, from plebs, plebis ("the common people").

Full definition of plebeian

Adjective

1. Of or pertaining to the Roman plebs, or common people.
2. Of or pertaining to the common people; vulgar; common; as plebeian sports;They were all from the ghetto, a plebeian throng.

Noun

1. One of the plebs, or common people of ancient Rome, in distinction from patrician.
2. (archaic) One of the common people, or lower rank of men.
• 1748. David Hume. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 3.The feelings of our heart, the agitation of our passions, the vehemence of our affections, dissipate all its conclusions, and reduce the profound philosopher to a mere plebeian.

Synonyms

• (one of the plebs) commoner, pleb
• (one of the common people) commoner

Antonyms

• (one of the plebs) patrician

Derived terms

• pleb