low-born
/ˌləʊ ˈbɔːn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌləʊ ˈbɔːrn/ (ame, ipa)
low-born — adjective
1. born into a family that society considers unimportant because of their humble po
born into a family that society considers unimportant because of their humble position and lack of wealth or status
The count refused to let his daughter marry a low-born merchant, no matter how wealthy he became.
attributive use before noun
In Mein-Lin's novel, the low-born heroine rises to become queen through intelligence and courage.
Low-born soldiers were rarely promoted to officer rank in the old army.
Princess Fatima knew that her low-born mother had been a servant before marrying the king.
- humble-born
less common, same meaning; very literary or historical
- of humble birth
phrasal alternative; softer and more formal than 'low-born'
- base-born
archaic and often carries a negative judgment; avoid in modern use
- high-born
archaic; born into a family of high social rank
- noble-born
born into the nobility or aristocracy
- aristocratic
modern, neutral term for belonging to the upper class
文法句型
low-born + noun (attributive)
be low-born (predicative)
用法筆記
This word is considered old-fashioned in modern English. Speakers today more commonly use phrases such as 'of humble origins' or 'from a working-class background' when referring to social class.