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

But they were a new thing then, and the Assembly, as much outraged as alarmed by this second trespass on its dignity, could only look at its President, and mutter wrathful threats against the canaille.

From The Red Cockade by Weyman, Stanley John

Mon cher,' said the other, 'you and I were once gentlemen—we talked, ate, drank, and dressed as such; we have now the canaille life, and the past is scarcely even a dream.'

From Gerald Fitzgerald The Chevalier by Lever, Charles James

One of the canaille, a jailer, was put on the witness stand and questioned briefly.

From In the Day of Adversity by Bloundelle-Burton, John