pop·u·lace \ˈpäpyələ̇s, chiefly in southern U S -pəl-\noun (-s) Etymology: Middle French, from Italian popolaccio rabble, pejorative of popolo the people (from Latin populus) 1.: the common people : the rank and file without wealth or position < “the quality” … had to rub shoulders with the general populace — W.S.Clark > 2.: the total number of people or inhabitants < the populace insists that this is the most beautiful town — Phil Stong >