plebeian

views updated

plebeian pert. to, a member of, the Roman plebs XVI; of low birth or rank XVII. f. L. plēbēius, f. plēbs, plēb- commonalty of ancient Rome, perh. rel. to plēnus FULL, Gr. plêthos, plēthús multitude; see -AN.
So plebiscite law enacted by the plebs XVI; direct vote of the whole electorate XIX. — (O)F. plébiscite — L. plēbiscītum, f. plēbs, plēb- + scītum ordinance, sb. use of n. pp. of sciscere approve, vote for, rel. to scīre know.

More From encyclopedia.com