English Lexicon

Bourgeoisie

/ˌbʊərʒwɑːˈziː/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The social class that is primarily concerned with property values and the means of production, typically associated with the middle class.

    "The bourgeoisie played a significant role in the economic development of the nation."
  2. 2

    A term used in Marxist theory to describe the capitalist class that owns most of society's wealth and means of production.

    "In Marxist analysis, the bourgeoisie is often seen as the oppressor of the proletariat."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'bourgeoisie' originates from the Old French word 'bourgeois', meaning 'town dweller', which itself comes from 'bourg', meaning 'town'. It evolved in the 14th century to refer to the middle class, particularly those involved in commerce and industry, distinguishing them from the aristocracy and the working class.

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