different between plebeian vs proletarian

English

Alternative forms

• plebian
• plebeyan, plebean, plebeane, plebien (obsolete)

Etymology

From Latin pl?b?ius (“a commoner; common”) + -an (“forming adjectives”), from Latin pl?b?s + -ius (“forming adjectives”), possibly under the influence of Middle French plebeyen, plebein, plebien (“a commoner”) and plebeien (“concerning the common people”). Cf. Medieval Latin pl?b?i?nus (“a commoner”), from pl?b?ius + -?nus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pli?bi??n/, /pl??bi??n/
• Rhymes: -i??n

Noun

plebeian (plural plebeians)

1. (historical, Ancient Rome) A member of the plebs, the common citizens of ancient Rome.

   Synonyms: commoner, pleb, plebe

   Antonym: patrician

   • 1533, John Bellenden translating Livy, History of Rome, Vol. II, Ch. iv, Sect. ii:

     Na plebeane will tak þe dochter of ane patriciane but hir consent.

2. A commoner, particularly (derogatory) a low, vulgar person.

   Synonyms: commoner, villain, peasant, nobody

   Antonyms: noble, aristocrat

   • c. 1550, Robert Wedderburn, The Complaynt of Scotlande..., Ch. xv, p. 102:

     There blude... vald hef na bettir cullour nor the blude of ane plebien or of ane mecanik craftis man.

   • 1748. David Hume. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. § 3.

     The feelings of our heart, the agitation of our passions, the vehemence of our affections, dissipate all its conclusions, and reduce the profound philosopher to a mere plebeian.

Derived terms

• pleb

Related terms

• plebe, plebs, plebeiance, plebeianism, plebeity, plebeiate

Translations

Adjective

plebeian (comparative more plebeian, superlative most plebeian)

1. (historical) Of or concerning the plebs, the common citizens of ancient Rome.
   • 1566, William Painter, The Palace of Pleasure Beautified, Vol. I, Ch. iv, fol. 9 verso:

     To what purpose be the plebeian Magistrates ordeined?

2. Of or concerning the common people.
   • 1602, William Watson, A Decacordon of Ten Quodlibeticall Questions, p. 301:

     ...priuate person or plebian multitude...

3. Common, particularly (derogatory) vulgar, crude, coarse, uncultured.
   • 1615, Robert Armin, The Valiant Welshman, Vol. i, Ch. i, sig. B:

     For to plebeyan wits, it is as good,
     As to be silent, as not vnderstood.

Synonyms

• (of or pertaining to the common people): vulgar, common, popular

Antonyms

• (of or pertaining to the common people): noble, aristocratic

Derived terms

• plebeianly, plebeianness

Translations

Further reading

• plebeian in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• “plebeian, n. and adj.”, in OED Online ?, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, September 2006

Romanian

Etymology

From French plébéien

Adjective

plebeian m or n (feminine singular plebeian?, masculine plural plebeieni, feminine and neuter plural plebeiene)

1. plebeian

Declension

English

Etymology

From Latin proletarius (“a man whose only wealth is his offspring, or whose sole service to the state is as father”), from proles (“offspring, posterity”)

Adjective

proletarian (comparative more proletarian, superlative most proletarian)

1. Of or relating to the proletariat.

Translations

Noun

proletarian (plural proletarians)

1. A member of the proletariat.

Synonyms

• prole

Translations

Anagrams

• prerational