/plib/, /pliːb/
OriginFrom Latin plēbs (“the plebeian class”), probably via Middle French plebe (“plebeians, commoners, the rabble”) and possibly later understood as a clipping of plebeian. Cognate with Italian plebe, Spanish plebe, Portuguese plebe.
- historical, plural-normallyA plebeian, a member of the lower class of Roman citizens.
“Another the like was among the Romanes of Patricij & plebes, thone ſtriuing with thother a long time, the patricij many yeares excluding the plebes from bearing rule, vntill at laſt all magiſtrates we”
- historical, obsoleteThe plebs, the plebeian class.
“All other roomes were free for the plebe or multitude.”
- obsoleteThe similar lower class of any area.
- US, slangA freshman cadet at a military academy.
“My drill master, a young stripling, told me I was not so ‘gross’ as most other pleibs, the name of all new cadets.”
“"But is a plebe forbidden to stroll here?"
"If a plebe did have the brass to try it," replied Anstey slowly, "I reckon he would have to fight the whole yearling class in turn."”
“Plebes spend their first summer at Cadet Basic Training — Beast Barracks — where they get soldierized.”
Formsplebes(plural)