plebe

noun

Etymology: From 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.

1. A 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 were made cõmon [common] betweene thẽ [them]: […]”

2. The plebs, the plebeian class.

   “All other roomes were free for the plebe or multitude.”

3. The similar lower class of any area.
4. A 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."”