A.Word.A.Day--plebeian Pronunciation: WAV or RealAudio plebeian (ple-BEE-uhn) adjective 1. Of or relating to the common people of ancient Rome: a plebeian magistrate. 2. Of, belonging to, or characteristic of commoners. 3. Unrefined or coarse in nature or manner; common or vulgar: plebeian tastes. plebeian noun 1. One of the common people of ancient Rome. 2. A member of the lower classes. 3. A vulgar or coarse person. [From Latin plebius, from plebs, pleb-, the common people.] "AMADEUS abounds with skillfully played supporting roles - Roy Dotrice as the austere, forbidding Leopold Mozart, Jeffrey Jones as the amusingly vapid Emperor Joseph II, a man of plebeian tastes whose judgments nevertheless sway public opinion - and each frame is filled with colorful faces which add to the flavor and atmosphere of the scenes." AMADEUS, Magill's Survey of Cinema, 15 Jun 1995. This week's theme: words that violate the "i before e" rule. X-Bonus We cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without being more sensitive to pain. -Alan Watts

We need your help



Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere



Donate