Definition of "plebs"

plebs

/plɛbz/

noun
1. plural of pleb
noun
plural only
1. (historical) The plebeian class of Ancient Rome.
  Quotations
  Why I am going with my pidgeons to the tribunall Plebs.
  c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act IV, scene iv], line 92
2. (derogatory) the mob.
  Quotations
  For 'tis an Easier ThingTo make Trees Leape, and Stones selfe-burthens bring(As once Amphion to the walls of Thæbes,)Then Stop the giddie Clamouring of Plebs...
  a. 1657, George Daniel, "The Author" in Poems, Vol. II, p. 131
  Chaos A.D. / Tanks On The Streets / Confronting Police / Bleeding The Plebs
  1993, Max Cavalera, "Refuse/Resist", Sepultura, Chaos A.D.
  The history of Palermo was punctuated by such uprisings; when they happened, the great barons simply fled to the safety of their country villas, leaving the urban plebs free to sack their palaces in the city.
  2000, James Fentress, chapter 1, in Rebels & Mafiosi: Death in a Sicilian Landscape
  The lesser plebs are not unscrupulous troublemakers.
  2009, Erica Benner, chapter 8, in Machiavelli's Ethics