populace Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun people in general considered as a whole
    world; public.
    • he is a hero in the eyes of the public

WordNet

Pop"u*lace noun
Etymology
F. populace, fr. It. popolaccio, popolazzo, fr. popolo people, L. populus. See People.
Definitions
  1. The common people; the vulgar; the multitude, -- comprehending all persons not distinguished by rank, office, education, or profession. Pope.
    To . . . calm the peers and please the populace. Daniel.
    They . . . call us Britain's barbarous populaces. Tennyson.
    Syn. -- Mob; people; commonalty.

Webster 1913