many samurai; many warriors; many gentlemen
Historical term referring collectively to multiple samurai or warriors, often used in pre-modern contexts. The gloss 'many gentlefolk' reflects a broader, somewhat archaic sense of well-bred individuals.
In the Edo period, many samurai gathered to hold a council.
この碑は戦で亡くなった諸士を弔うために建てられた。
This monument was erected to mourn the many warriors who died in battle.
Compound of 諸 (sho, 'various, many') and 士 (shi, 'warrior, gentleman'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term follows a common Sino-Japanese pattern for collective nouns.