populace

Definitions

popul (people) + -ace = 'the people' — specifically the common public as opposed to the rulers. Unlike populous (an adjective describing a crowded place), populace is a noun naming the people themselves: the general populace, the local populace.

Why It Means This

populace came into English through French (populace) from Italian popolaccio — and the Italian ending was originally a bit dismissive, like 'the rabble.' That faintly top-down flavor survives: populace tends to view the people from above, as a mass to be informed, governed, or stirred up. So 'inform the populace' or 'a restless populace' sound natural, while you would not call your friends 'the populace.'

Common Collocations

• 1.general populace普通大众
• 2.local populace当地民众
• 3.inform the populace告知民众
• 4.restless populace躁动的民众

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The new tax angered the general populace.

• 2.

  The government tried to keep the populace calm during the crisis.

• 3.

  Radio was used to inform the rural populace about the vote.

Easily Confused

populace vs populous — near-identical in sound, opposite in part of speech. populace is a NOUN = the common people ('the local populace'). populous is an ADJECTIVE = full of people ('a populous city'). Quick fix: -ace ends like 'space' (a noun); -ous ends like adjectives 'famous, nervous.'