people
[ˈpʰi.pɫ̩]
UK: [ˈpʰiː.pɫ̩]
PʰI · pɫ̩ (2 syllables)
Definition
plural of person: a body of persons considered generally or collectively; a group of two or more persons.
Etymology
From Middle English puple, peple, peeple, from Anglo-Norman people, from Old French pueple, peuple, pople, from Latin populus (“a people, nation”), from Old Latin populus, from earlier poplus, from even earlier poplos, from Proto-Italic *poplos (“army”) of unknown origin. Doublet of pueblo. Gradually ousted native English lede and, partially, folk. Originally used with singular verbs (e.g. "the people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness" in the King James Version of 2 Samuel 17:29), the plural aspect of people is probably due to influence from Middle English lede, leed, a plural since Old English times; see lēode.
Example Sentences
- "There were so many people at the restaurant last night."
- "These six people are waiting for the bus."
- "Under dictatorship, people suffered and died."