Lumpenproletariat Definition
lŭmpən-prōlĭ-târē-ət, lo͝om-
noun
The lowest stratum of the proletariat. Used originally in Marxist theory to describe those members of the proletariat, especially criminals, vagrants, and the unemployed, who lacked awareness of their collective interest as an oppressed class.
American Heritage
An underclass.
American Heritage
(Marxism) The lowest stratum of the proletariat.
Wiktionary
Other Word Forms of Lumpenproletariat
Noun
Singular:
lumpenproletariat
Plural:
lumpenproletariatsOrigin of Lumpenproletariat
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German Lumpen pl. of Lump ragamuffin (from Middle High German lumpe rag) Proletariat proletariat (from French prolétariat proletariat)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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Borrowed from German Lumpenproletariat, which is Lumpen (“rag") + French prolétariat, from Latin proletarius, the lowest class of Roman citizen.
From Wiktionary
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