pl. n.
- human beings in general or considered collectively.
▸
(the people)
the mass of citizens in a country; the populace.
(pl. peoples)
[treated as sing. or pl.]
a particular nation, community, or ethnic group: the native peoples of Canada.
-
(one's people)
one's employees or supporters.
-
(one's people)
dated one's parents or relatives.
v.
- (of a particular group of people) inhabit.
▸fill or be present in.
- fill (an area or place) with a particular group of inhabitants.
Derivative
Usage
On the distinction between people and persons, see usage at person.
Etymology
ME: from Anglo-Norman Fr. poeple, from L. populus ‘populace’.