commonweal

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the welfare, prosperity, or good shared by all members of a community

   The treaty was presented as a contribution to the commonweal rather than a private bargain.

2. 2
   noun

   archaic: an organized political community or body politic

   The reformers argued that a stable commonweal depended on accountable government.

From Middle English common weal, literally 'shared well-being,' combining common with weal, 'welfare or prosperity.' In the sixteenth century it was also used to translate Latin res publica, alongside the related compound commonwealth.

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