people

peo•ple

[[t]ˈpi pəl[/t]] n. pl. -ples

1) persons indefinitely or collectively; persons in general

2) cvb persons considered as numerable individuals forming a group

3) human beings, as distinguished from animals or other beings

4) the entire body of persons who constitute a community or other group by virtue of a common culture, religion, or the like

5) the persons of any particular group, company, or number (sometimes used in combination):

salespeople[/ex]

6) the ordinary persons, as distinguished from those who have wealth, rank, influence, etc

7) the subjects, followers, or subordinates of a ruler, leader, employer, etc

8) gov the body of enfranchised citizens of a state

9) a person's family or relatives

10) to furnish with people; populate

11) to supply or stock as if with people

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Etymology: 1225–75; ME peple < AF poeple, OF pueple < L populus usage: people is usu. followed by a plural verb and referred to by a plural pronoun: The people have made their choice. When people means “the entire body of persons who constitute a community by virtue of a common culture, religion, etc.,” it is singular, with the plural peoples: This people shares characteristics with certain inhabitants of central Asia. The aboriginal peoples of the Western Hemisphere speak many different languages. At one time, some usage guides maintained that people could not be preceded by a number, as in Fewer than 30 people showed up. This use is now standard.