noun
plebeian
Plebeian (noun) means one of the ordinary citizens of ancient Rome.
noun
1
One of the ordinary citizens of ancient Rome.
"The cognomen was first used in patrician families, who were distinguished from the plebeians by their three names."
— Elizabeth Gidley Withycombe, Introduction (1945)
2
(derogatory) An ordinary person regarded as low or unrefined.
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Etymology
Comes from Latin plēbēius (“a commoner; common”) plus -an (adjective-forming suffix), itself from Latin plēbēs plus -ius (adjective-forming suffix), possibly influenced by Middle French plebeyen, plebein, plebien (“a commoner”) and plebeien (“concerning the common people”). Compare Medieval Latin plēbēiānus (“a commoner”), from plēbēius plus -ānus.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for plebeian
See all rhymes for plebeian →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of plebeian?
"plebeian" (noun) means one of the ordinary citizens of ancient Rome.
What is another word for plebeian?
Other words for "plebeian" include pleb.
What is the opposite of plebeian?
Opposites of "plebeian" include patrician, aristocrat, noble.
What are the different meanings of plebeian?
"plebeian" has 2 main meanings: 1. One of the ordinary citizens of ancient Rome; 2. (derogatory) An ordinary person regarded as low or unrefined.
