bourgeois
UK: ˈbʊəʒwɑː | US: bʊrˈʒwɑː
n. 1. A member of the middle class, typically characterized by materialistic values or conventional attitudes.
adj. 2. Relating to or characteristic of the middle class, especially in being materialistic or conventional.
bourgeois = bourg<town> + eois<noun suffix denoting affiliation>
- bourg (from Old French burc, meaning "town" or "fortified settlement," derived from Late Latin burgus).
- -eois (a French suffix indicating association or origin, similar to "-ese" or "-ish" in English).
Etymology Origin:
The word bourgeois originated in medieval France, where bourg referred to a walled town or market settlement. The bourgeois were the townspeople—merchants, artisans, and professionals—who formed a distinct social class between peasants and nobility. Over time, the term evolved to denote the middle class, often with connotations of materialism or social conservatism. The suffix -eois solidifies its role as a classifier for this group.
The bourgeois lifestyle emphasized comfort and financial stability.
Critics accused the novel of glorifying bourgeois values.
In the 19th century, the bourgeois class expanded with industrialization.
Her paintings satirized the bourgeois obsession with appearances.
The revolution aimed to dismantle bourgeois power structures.