E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Bourgeoisie (French).
The merchants, manufacturers, and master-tradesmen considered as a class. Citoyen is a freeman, a citizen of the State; bourgeois, an individual of the Bourgeoisie class. Molière has a comedy entitled Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme.
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“The commons of England, the Tiers-Etat of France, the bourgeoisie of the Continent generally, are the descendants of this class [artisans] generally.”—Mill: Political Economy (Prelim. p. 12).
