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plural plebeians
(historical, Ancient Rome) A member of the plebs, the common citizens of ancient Rome. quotations
Na plebeane will tak þe dochter of ane patriciane but hir consent.
1533, John Bellenden translating Livy, History of Rome, Vol. II, Ch. iv, Sect. ii
(derogatory) a low, vulgar person. quotations examples
There blude... vald hef na bettir cullour nor the blude of ane plebien or of ane mecanik craftis man.
c. 1550, Robert Wedderburn, The Complaynt of Scotlande..., Ch. xv, p. 102
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.
1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral., London: Oxford University Press, published 1973, § 3
comparative more plebeian, superlative most plebeian
(historical) Of or concerning the plebs, the common citizens of ancient Rome. quotations
To what purpose be the plebeian Magistrates ordeined?
1566, William Painter, The Palace of Pleasure Beautified, Vol. I, Ch. iv, fol. 9 verso
Of or concerning the common people. quotations examples
...priuate person or plebian multitude...
1602, William Watson, A Decacordon of Ten Quodlibeticall Questions, page 301
(derogatory) vulgar, crude, coarse, uncultured. quotations examples
For to plebeyan wits, it is as good,As to be silent, as not vnderstood.
1615, Robert Armin, The Valiant Welshman, Vol. i, Ch. i, sig. B
[…] told me love was too plebeian / told me you were through with me
1953, Arthur Hamilton (lyrics and music), “Cry Me a River”
Completely absent was any mention of the Apple Watch Edition branding, which Apple used last year to launch a pair of $10,000-and-up Apple Watches that worked the same way as the cheap ones but were made out of actual gold instead of workaday, plebeian metals.
2016 September 8, Andrew Cunningham, “The $10,000 golden Apple Watch is no more”, in Arstechnica