COMMONER Meaning and
Definition
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Commoner is a noun that refers to an individual who belongs to the general population or the ordinary people within a society, rather than to the ruling or aristocratic class. A commoner is someone who does not possess any noble or elevated status by birth or social standing. Often categorized as the common folk, commoners do not hold titles of nobility or have hereditary ranks within the social hierarchy.
While the specific definitions and distinctions of commoners vary across different cultures and historical periods, the term generally denotes the majority of people who possess average wealth, limited political power, and lack privileges associated with the ruling elites. Commoners are typically engaged in different occupations, including farming, trade, craftsmanship, or labor-intensive work. They form the backbone of society and their livelihoods are usually dependent on routine jobs and professions.
The commoner classification can also extend beyond socio-economic aspects to denote a level of knowledge or expertise. In this context, a commoner is someone lacking specialized or advanced understanding in a particular field, often contrasted with experts or professionals.
Overall, commoners represent the majority of individuals in any given society, characteristically distinct from the privileged elites, without noble status, possessing average wealth, and engaging in common professions or trades.
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• One under the rank of nobility; a member of the House of Commons; a student of the second rank in the University of Oxford.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for COMMONER
Etymology of COMMONER
The word "commoner" can be traced back to the Old French word "comunier" or "comune", meaning "common". It eventually evolved into "communer" in Middle English, with the same meaning of "common" or "ordinary". Over time, the suffix "-er" was added to form "commoner", specifically referring to a person who is not of noble birth or a member of the aristocracy.
Similar spelling words for COMMONER
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