plebeian

ple·be·ian

Bill's uncouth habit of licking his fingers while eating made him look like a plebeian.

noun

The definition of a plebeian is a person in the lower class.
An example of a plebeian is a member of the ancient Roman lower class.
Plebeian is defined as relating to the common people or lacking in manners.
An example of a plebeian act is licking food off of a plate.

Origin of plebeian

from Classical Latin plebeius from plebs, plebs

of or characteristic of the lower class in ancient Rome or of the common people in any country
1. vulgar, coarse, or common
2. commonplace; ordinary

adjective

noun

Origin of plebeian

From Latin plēbius from plēbs plēb- the common people ; see pelə-¹ in Indo-European roots.

Related Forms:

Adjective

(comparative more plebeian, superlative most plebeian)

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

Noun

(plural plebeians)

One of the plebs, or common people of ancient Rome, in distinction from patrician.
(archaic) One of the common people, or lower rank of men.

Antonyms

Origin

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

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