/ ˈpɒpjələs; NAmE ˈpɑːp-/ (usually the populace ) noun
[ sing.+ sing./pl. v . ] ( formal ) all the ordinary people of a particular country or area :
He had the support of large sections of the local populace.
The populace at large is / are opposed to sudden change.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: from French , from Italian popolaccio common people, from popolo people + the pejorative suffix -accio .