I.“plebibus,” Aug. Ep. 166), f. root ple-, fill; whence Gr. πίμπλημι, πλήρης; cf. πλῆ θος, multitude.
I. Lit., the common people, the commons or commonalty, the plebeians (opp. the patricians, senators, and knights; “whereas populus signifies the collective people, including, therefore, the Senate),” Cic. Leg. 3, 3, 10: plebes in hoc regi antistat loco, licet Lacrumare plebi, regi honeste non licet, Enn. ap. Hier. Epit. Nep. p. 590 Mign. (Trag. v. 271 Vahl.): “plebs a populo eo differt quo species a genere: nam appellatione populi universi cives significantur, connumeratis etiam patriciis et senatoribus: plebis autem appellatione sine patribus et senatu ceteri cives significantur,” Just. Inst. 1, 2, 4; cf. Gai. Inst. 1, 3: “plebes dominandi studio permota a patribus secessit,” Sall. C. 33, 3: “ita tribuni plebei creati duo,” Liv. 2, 33, 2: “dum decem tribunos plebi faceret,” id. 3, 65, 4: “non enim populi, sed plebis eum (sc.: tribunum plebis) magistratum esse,” Liv. 2, 56: “populo plebique Romanae,” Cic. Mur. 1, 1: “in duas partes ego civitatem divisam arbitror in patres, et plebem,” Sall. Or. ad Caes. 2, 5; Liv. 2, 56: “Martia Roma triplex equitatu, plebe, senatu,” Aus. Idyll. 11, 78.—
II. Transf., in gen.
A. The great mass, the multitude: “in Hyrcaniā, plebs publicos alit canes, optimates domesticos,” Cic. Tusc. 1, 45, 108: “plebem et infimam multitudinem delinire,” id. Mil. 35, 95.—
B. With accessory notion of contempt, the populace, the lower class or order, the mass (poet. and in post-Aug. prose): “multitudo de plebe,” Liv. 5, 39: “si quadringentis sex septem millia desunt, Plebs eris,” you shall be plebeian, Hor. Ep. 1, 1, 59: “misera,” id. S. 1, 8, 10: “ventosa,” id. Ep. 1, 19, 37: “immensa nimiaque,” Juv. 11, 194.—Among the gods: “plebs Superūm, Fauni, Satyrique, Laresque, Fluminaque, et Nymphae, Semideūmque genus,” Ov. Ib. 81.—Of bees, a stock, swarm, hive (meaning the great mass, opp. to the queen); in plur. (rare): “tres alveorum plebes,” Col. 9, 11, 1: corona plebium, Prud. στεφ. 10, 709.—
C. The whole people, nation, community, = populus (late Lat.), Vulg. Gen. 23, 13: “plebs tua Israel,” id. Luc. 2, 32 et saep.
