Plebeian

(redirected from plebeianism)
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Encyclopedia.

PLEBEIAN. One who is classed among the common people, as distinguished from the nobles. Happily in this country the order of nobles does not exist.

A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States. By John Bouvier. Published 1856.

Mentioned in ?

References in periodicals archive ?

During this phase Hollywood gained the name of "dream factory." Escapism--some modern purists may also call it "plebeianism"--served its purpose, both for Americans during the Depression and for Chinese in time of war.

Hollywood and the Chinese other

But then as the novel fissures James transposes Hyacinth's conflict onto his relations with the Princess and Millicent Henning until both betray him sexually, and in that misogynist diversion degrades both the Princess's socialism and Millicent's plebeianism. This oblique, "safety-valve" attack on socialism through the women characters threatens to subvert Hyacinth's socialist tragedy in progress among the men.