humble position; low rank
Refers to a person's modest social standing or low official rank, often used in historical or self-deprecating contexts.
He came from a humble background, but worked his way up.
Low-ranking samurai also received small stipends.
low-ranking person; person of humble means
humble position with a small stipend
The term is composed of 小 (small) and 身 (body/status), literally meaning 'small status'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it has been used since the Edo period to describe low-ranking samurai or humble social standing.