populace
UK: ˈpɒpjʊləs | US: ˈpɑːpjʊləs
n. the general public or common people of a society
n. the inhabitants of a particular place
populace = popul<people> + ace<noun suffix>
- popul (from Latin populus, meaning "people")
- ace (a noun-forming suffix, often indicating a collective or abstract concept)
Etymology Origin:
The word "populace" traces back to the Latin populus (people), which also gave rise to words like "population" and "popular." The suffix "-ace" was adopted in Middle French (populace) to denote a collective group, later entering English in the 16th century. The term originally carried a neutral connotation but occasionally implies a distinction between the masses and elites.
The new policy was met with mixed reactions from the populace.
The city's populace grew rapidly during the industrial revolution.
Leaders must consider the needs of the populace when making decisions.
The festival attracted a large portion of the local populace.
The king sought to win the favor of the populace through public works.