plebeian

Meanings

Noun

• A member of the plebs, the common citizens of ancient Rome.
• A commoner, particularly a low, vulgar person.

Adjective

• Of or concerning the plebs, the common citizens of ancient Rome.
• Of or concerning the common people.
• Common, particularly vulgar, crude, coarse, uncultured.

Related

Similar words

• vulgar, common, popular

Opposite words

• noble, aristocratic

Origin

• From Latin plēbēius ("a commoner; common") + -an, from Latin plebes + -ius, possibly under the influence of Middle French plebeyen, plebein, plebien and plebeien. Cf. Medieval Latin plēbēiānus ("a commoner"), from plēbēius + -ānus.