plebeian

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Of or concerning the plebs, the common citizens of ancient Rome.

   To what purpose be the plebeian Magistrates ordeined?

Simplified etymology

Plebeian, recorded from the mid-16th century, is based on Latin plebeius, from plebs, “the common people,” in contrast with the aristocratic patricians. Plebiscite shares the same Latin base.

From Latin plēbēius (“a commoner; common”) + -an (adjective-forming suffix), from Latin plēbēs + -ius (adjective-forming suffix), possibly under the influence of Middle French plebeyen, plebein, plebien (“a commoner”) and plebeien (“concerning the common people”). Cf. Medieval Latin plēbēiānus (“a commoner”), from plēbēius + -ānus.

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