lower-class
UK[ˌləʊə ˈklɑːs]US[ˌloʊər ˈklæs]
adj
relating to or characteristic of the social class with the lowest status, typically having the least wealth and education
n
the social class with the lowest status, typically having the least wealth and education
Morpheme Breakdown
lower
class
lower
comparative degree
class
social rank
Etymology
The compound "lower-class" is a transparent construction from native English elements. "Lower" derives from the Old English comparative form of "low," a word of Proto-Germanic origin describing something of small height or humble position. "Class" entered English via French from the Latin classis, which originally referred to a summoning or division of the Roman people, particularly for taxation or military service. By the 17th century, "class" had evolved in English to signify a social or economic ranking. The fusion of "lower" and "class" in the 18th century created a direct, descriptive term for the stratum of society perceived to occupy the bottom rung of the socioeconomic hierarchy, logically extending the spatial metaphor of "low" status into a social context.
Analysis
Structure: lower (comparative degree) + class (social rank)
- lower: From Old English lāgra, comparative of lāh (low). Origin: Proto-Germanic. Functional role: Adjective, indicating a comparative position.
- class: From Latin classis, meaning a division or rank of citizens. Functional role: Noun, denoting a social or economic division.
Examples
They lived in a lower-class neighborhood with few amenities.
The policy was criticized for disproportionately affecting the lower-class.
His novels often sympathetically portray lower-class life in the industrial city.