I. noun
also ple·bi·an plə̇ˈbēən, plēˈ-
( -s )
Etymology: Latin plebeius of the common people (from plebes, plebs common people) + English -an; akin to Greek plēthos throng, Latin plenus full — more at full
1. : a member of the Roman plebs
2.
a. : one who is not of noble birth
b. : a member of the working class : one of the common people
a simple plebeian — C.H.Sykes
II. adjective
also plebian “
Etymology: Latin plebeius + English -an
1. : of or relating to the Roman plebs
2.
a. : of or relating to the common people
the old nobility … had swallowed its pride and married wholesale into plebeian families — Nancy Mitford
b. : having characteristics attributed to the general populace : crude or coarse in manner or style : commonplace , everyday , homely , undistinguished
a wild plebeian desire to slap the handsome girl's face — J.C.Powys
his square plebeian nose — G.M.Trevelyan
• ple·be·ian·ly adverb