plebs

[plebz] /plɛbz/
noun, (used with a plural verb)
1.
(in ancient Rome) the common people, as contrasted with the patricians and later with the senatorial nobility or the equestrian order.
2.
the common people; the populace.
Origin
1640-50; < Latin plēbs, plēbēs

pleb

[pleb] /plɛb/
noun
1.
a member of the plebs; a plebeian or commoner.
2.
plebe (def 1).
Origin
1850-55, Americanism; short for plebeian
Examples from the web for plebs
  • Leave the viewing to us plebs without any social calendars.
  • The answer is that they need someone to bring the populist plebs along for the neocon ride.
British Dictionary definitions for plebs

plebs

/plɛbz/
noun
1.
(functioning as pl) the common people; the masses
2.
(functioning as singular or pl) common people of ancient Rome Compare patrician
Word Origin
C17: from Latin: the common people of ancient Rome

pleb

/plɛb/
noun
1.
short for plebeian
2.
(Brit, informal, often derogatory) a common vulgar person
See also plebs
Word Origin and History for plebs

pleb

n.

1856 as a colloquial shortening of plebeian in the ancient Roman sense. West Point sense attested by 1851 (see plebe).