[Fr., f. bourgeois: see above.] The body of freemen of a French town; the French middle class; also extended to that of other countries.
1707. Lond. Gaz., No. 4354/1. To the Council of the City, the Clergy, and Bourgeoisie of Vallangin.
1848. Mill, Pol. Econ., Prelim. Rem. (1875), 12/1. The Commons of England, the Tiers-Etat of France, the bourgeoisie of the Continent generally, are the descendants of this class.
1856. Geo. Eliot, Ess. (1884), 284. The elaborate study of the German bourgeoisie.
1883. Spectator, 13 Oct., 1309/2. The ‘political surveys’ which he [Grant Duff] was in the habit of addressing to the bourgeoisie of the Elgin Burghs were polished essays.
