plebs
noun/plɛbz/
Etymology From Latin plēbs (“the plebeian class”), variant of earlier plēbēs. Later also understood as the plural of pleb.
1
Historical The plebeian class of Ancient Rome.
- Why I am going with my pidgeons to the tribunall Plebs.c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv], line 92:
2
The common people, especially (derogatory) the mob.
- For 'tis an Easier Thing To make Trees Leape, and Stones selfe-burthens bring (As once Amphion to the walls of Thæbes,)a. 1657, George Daniel, "The Author" in Poems, Vol. II, p. 131
- 1993, Max Cavalera, "Refuse/Resist", Sepultura, Chaos A.D. Chaos A.D. / Tanks On The Streets / Confronting Police / Bleeding The Plebs
2 more examples
- The history of Palermo was punctuated by such uprisings; when they happened, the great barons simply fled to the safety of their country villas, leaving the urban plebs free to sack their palaces in the city.2000, James Fentress, chapter 1, in Rebels & Mafiosi: Death in a Sicilian Landscape:
- The lesser plebs are not unscrupulous troublemakers.2009, Erica Benner, chapter 8, in Machiavelli's Ethics:
- Derived terms
- plebiscite, tribune of the plebs