canaille

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He knew nothing of that silent middle class that struggled between genteel poverty and the impossible desire of emulating the golden canaille to which he himself belonged.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

"I didn't know that honest men were canaille," retorted Elina, flushing with anger; "I thought no one was ever called by that name but villains and rascals."

From San-Cravate; or, The Messengers; Little Streams by Kock, Charles Paul de

She was sorry for the canaille, the Effie Mays, who had no such inner power to rely upon....

From Why Joan? by Kelly, Eleanor Mercein

He was, moreover, no friend to the populace, to the canaille, and he had a particular aversion to the nationals. 

From The Bible in Spain - Vol. 2 [of 2] by Borrow, George Henry

He had with him as his chamber-moor his long, lean dispenser, who in the adjoining drinking-room encountered the very short dispenser of the second apothecary's-shop, or shop of the canaille.

From Hesperus or Forty-Five Dog-Post-Days Vol. I. A Biography by Jean Paul