Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
sans-culotte
Noun
/sɑ̃ ky.lɔt/
Definition
A member of the radical political group during the French Revolution who were typically working-class citizens and were known for their distinctive style of dress and their advocacy for revolutionary ideals.
Examples
- The sans-culottes played a significant role in the French Revolution, pushing for more radical changes.
- Many historians view the sans-culottes as the voice of the people during the tumultuous era.
Meaning
The term ‘sans-culotte’ literally means ‘without breeches’ in French, referring to the long trousers worn by the working-class men as opposed to the knee-length breeches worn by the aristocracy. It symbolizes the egalitarian and anti-aristocratic sentiments of the revolutionary times.
Synonyms
- Radicals
- Revolutionaries
- Commoners
