proletarian

[proh-li-tair-ee-uh n] /ˌproʊ lɪˈtɛər i ən/
adjective
1.
pertaining or belonging to the proletariat.
2.
(in ancient Rome) belonging to the lowest or poorest class of the people.
noun
3.
a member of the proletariat.
Origin
1650-60; see proletary, -an
Related forms
proletarianly, adverb
proletarianness, noun
half-proletarian, adjective
nonproletarian, adjective, noun
Examples from the web for proletarian
  • The pedigrees of the two apps are vastly different, one patrician, the other proletarian.
  • While this might be expected in a more proletarian setting, as a professional you should expect not to have your e-mails read.
  • But if you watch closely, you'll also see the image of a happy proletarian hoisting a frosty one.
  • The genie again warned his proletarian master that he would answer his request, but give his neighbor twice as much.
  • The guys who work indoors can't project this rugged proletarian image.
  • Both the elite pleasure gardens and proletarian depths seem utterly enclosed, as if the film took place inside someone's head.
  • My hand is already calloused and misshapen from pressing the proletarian flesh.
  • The only surprise ending in one of these conspiracy tales would be if the ultimate villain were some proletarian thug.
  • If the data is correct, some federal employees who once rode in style now face more proletarian transportation options.
British Dictionary definitions for proletarian

proletarian

/ˌprəʊlɪˈtɛərɪən/
adjective
1.
of, relating, or belonging to the proletariat
noun (pl) -tarians, -taries
2.
a member of the proletariat
Derived Forms
proletarianism, noun
proletarianness, noun
Word Origin
C17: from Latin prōlētārius one whose only contribution to the state was his offspring, from prōlēs offspring
Word Origin and History for proletarian

1650s (n.) "member of the lowest class;" 1660s (adj.) "of the lowest class of people;" with -ian + Latin proletarius "citizen of the lowest class" (as an adjective, "relating to offspring"), in ancient Rome, propertyless people, exempted from taxes and military service, who served the state only by having children; from proles "offspring, progeny" (see prolific).