plebs

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Pronunciation

• IPA: /plɛbz/

Noun

1. (historical) The plebeian class of ancient Rome.
   • 1594, William Shakespeare, Titus Andronicus, act IV, scene iv, line 92:

     Why I am going with my pidgeons to the tribunall Plebs.

2. The common people, especially (pejorative) the mob.
   • a. 1657, George Daniel, "The Author" in Poems, Vol. II ↗, p. 131 ↗:

     For 'tis an Easier Thing
     To make Trees Leape, and Stones selfe-burthens bring
     (As once Amphion to the walls of Thæbes,)
     Then Stop the giddie Clamouring of Plebs...

   • 1993, Max Cavalera, "Refuse/Resist", Sepultura, Chaos A.D.

     Chaos A.D. / Tanks On The Streets / Confronting Police / Bleeding The Plebs

3. plural form of pleb in its various senses.

Synonyms

• (Roman plebeian class) plebeiate
• (common people) the canaille, the common people, the great unwashed, the herd, the hoi polloi, the many, the masses, the multitude, the peasantry (rural), the proletariat (urban), the rabble, the rank-and-file, the riffraff, the working class, the mob

Related terms

• plebeian, plebe, pleb

Translations

• French: plèbe
• German: Plebs
• Italian: plebe
• Portuguese: plebe
• Russian: плебс
• Spanish: plebe

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