absol., esp. in the phrases learned (or lered) and lewed, lewed and clerks. Obsolete.

absol. (chiefly as plural).

With plural agreement, in later use only with the. Uneducated or unsophisticated people; common people. Now rare.

With plural agreement and chiefly with the. People who lack knowledge or understanding considered as a class; the ignorant; the ill-informed.

Chiefly with the and plural agreement. Uneducated, ignorant, or unsophisticated people considered collectively or as a class.

With the and plural agreement. Ignorant people as a class.

With plural agreement. With the: intellectually unsophisticated, ignorant, or uneducated people as a class; those who are foolish, stupid, or…

With plural agreement (usually with the): uneducated, unsophisticated, or ill-informed people considered collectively or as a class.