public

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a body of people sharing some common interest

   the reading public

2. 2
   noun

   people in general considered as a whole

   The returning soldier was a hero in the eyes of the public.

3. 3
   adj

   Able to be known or seen by everyone; happening without concealment; open to general view.

   VVith ſcoffes and ſcornes, and contumelious taunts, / In open Market-place produc't they me, / To be a publique ſpectacle to all: / Here, ſayd they, is the Terror of the French, / The Scar-Crovv that affrights our Children ſo.

4. 4
   adj

   Open to all members of a community, as opposed to only a segment of it; especially, provided by national or local authorities and supported by money from taxes.

   public library    public park

5. 5
   adj

   Pertaining to the people as a whole, as opposed to a group of people; concerning the whole community or country.

   [S]tanding publick Records have been kept of theſe vvell atteſted Relations, and Epocha’s made of thoſe unvvonted events.

6. 6
   adj

   Officially representing the community; carried out or funded by the government or state on behalf of the community, rather than by a private organization.

   public housing    public officer    public prosecutor    public servant

7. 7
   adj

   Pertaining to a person in the capacity in which they deal with other people on a formal or official basis, as opposed to a personal or private capacity; official, professional.

   public face    public image

8. 8
   adj

   Pertaining to nations collectively, or to nations regarded as civilized; international, supernational.

   […] Nicodemus had not affirmed him [Jesus] to be a prophete, but ſayde: whoſoeuer he be, he ought not after our common, or rather publike law, (that is to ſaye, a lawe which indifferently perteyneth to all men of euery ſtate) to be condemned, except his cauſe be knowen before.

Etymology

The adjective and noun are derived from Late Middle English publik, publike (“(adjective) generally observable, public; relating to the general public or public affairs; (noun) a generally observable place or situation”), from Anglo-Norman public, publik, publique, Middle French public, publique, and Old French public (“(adjective) generally observable, public; relating to the general public; official; (noun) community or its members collectively; nation, state; audience, spectators collectively”) (modern French public, publique (obsolete)); and from their etymon Latin pūblicus (“of or belongi…