Defn: A rendering plebeian; the act of vulgarizing. [R.] You begin with the attempt to popularize learning . . . but you will end in the plebification of knowledge. Coleridge.
PLEBISCITARY
Ple*bis"ci*ta*ry, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to plebiscite. The Century.
PLEBISCITE
Pleb"i*scite, n. Etym: [F. plébiscite, fr. L. plebiscitum.]
Defn: A vote by universal male suffrage; especially, in France, a popular vote, as first sanctioned by the National Constitution of 1791. [Written also plebiscit.] Plebiscite we have lately taken, in popular use, from the French. Fitzed. Hall.
PLEBISCITUM Ple`bis*ci"tum, n. Etym: [L., fr. plebs, plebis, common people + scitum decree.] (Rom. Antiq.)
Defn: A law enacted by the common people, under the superintendence of a tribune or some subordinate plebeian magistrate, without the intervention of the senate.
PLEBS
Plebs (plebz), n. [L. Cf. Plebe.]
1. The commonalty of ancient Rome who were citizens without the usual political rights; the plebeians; — distinguished from the patricians.
2. Hence, the common people; the populace; —construed as a pl.