Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PEO-PLE, n. [Fr. peuple; L. populus; W. pawb, pob, each, every one; poblac, common people; G. pobel; Ir. pupal, pobal; Sp. pueblo; Russ. bobiel, a peasant. This word coincides in elements with babe and pupil; and perhaps originally signified the children of a family, like gens.]

1. The body of persons who compose a community, town, city or nation. We say, the people of a town; the people of London or Paris; the English people. In this sense, the word is not used in the plural, but it comprehends all classes of inhabitants, considered as a collective body, or any portion of the inhabitants of a city or country.
2. The vulgar; the mass of illiterate persons. The knowing artist may judge better than the people. – Walter.
3. The commonalty, as distinct from men of rank. Myself shall mount the rostrum in his favor, / And strive to gain his pardon from the people. – Addison.
4. Persons of a particular class; a part of a nation or community; as, country people.
5. Persons in general; any persons indefinitely; like on in French, and man in Saxon. People were tempted to lead by great premiums and large interest. – Swift.
6. A collection or community of animals. The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer. – Prov. xxx.
7. When people signifies a separate nation or tribe, it has the plural number. Thou must prophesy again before many peoples. – Rev. x.
8. In Scripture, fathers or kindred. – Gen. xxv.
9. The Gentiles. To him shalt the gathering of the people be. – Gen. xliv.