/ pləˈbiːən; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
connected with ordinary people or people of the lower social classes
2.
( disapproving ) lacking in culture or education :
plebeian tastes
■ noun
(usually disapproving ) a person from a lower social class (used originally in ancient Rome)
—compare patrician
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from Latin plebeius (from plebs , pleb- the common people) + -an .