30 September 2015

plebeian

[pli-bee-uh n]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the common people.
2. of, relating to, or belonging to the ancient Roman plebs.
3. common, commonplace, or vulgar:
a plebeian joke.
noun
4. a member of the common people.
5. a member of the ancient Roman plebs.

Origin of plebeian
Latin
1525-1535; < Latin plēbēi (us) of the plebs ( plēbē (s) plebs + -ius adj. suffix) + -an

Related forms

plebeianism, noun
plebeianly, adverb
plebeianness, noun
unplebeian, adjective

Synonyms
3. lowbrow, low, ordinary, popular.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for plebeian

Historical Examples

Appius Claudius was seized with a criminal passion for violating the person of a young woman of plebeian condition.
The History of Rome, Books 01 to 08
Titus Livius

He’s a plebeian from his thick shoe soles to his thin hair; but he’s honest.
The Bacillus of Beauty
Harriet Stark

Kiss her in the vestibule before ringing the door-bell, as if we were plebeian sweethearts?
H. R.
Edwin Lefevre

Anagram

enable pi
bale pine
be in leap

Today’s quote

Our real discoveries come from chaos, from going to the place that looks wrong and stupid and foolish.

– Chuck Palahniuk

On this day

30 September 1947 – birth of Marc Bolan, singer/guitarist for T-Rex. (Born as Mark Feld). Died 16 September 1977.