1. n.1 a disorderly crowd; a mob.
2 a contemptible or inferior set of people.
3 (prec. by the) the lower or disorderly classes of the populace.
Phrases and idioms:
rabble-rouser a person who stirs up the rabble or a crowd of people in agitation for social or political change. rabble-rousing adj. tending to arouse the emotions of a crowd.
--n. the act or process of doing this.
Etymology: ME: orig. uncert. 2. n. an iron bar with a bent end for stirring molten metal etc.
Etymology: F r{acirc}ble f. med.L rotabulum, L rutabulum fire-shovel f. ruere rut- rake up