Pub"lic , n.
1. The general body of mankind, or of a nation, state, or community; the people, indefinitely; as, the American public; also, a particular body or aggregation of people; as, an
author's public.
The public is more disposed to censure than to praise.
Addison. 2. A public house; an inn. [Scot.]
Sir W. Scott.
In public, openly; before an audience or the people at
large; not in private or
secrecy. "We are to speak
in public."
Shak.
Pub"lic (?), a. [L. publicus, poblicus, fr. populus people: cf. F. public. See People.]
1. Of or pertaining to the people; belonging to the people; relating to, or affecting, a nation, state, or community; -- opposed to private; as, the public treasury.
To the public good
Private respects must yield.
Milton.
He [Alexander Hamilton] touched the dead corpse of the
public credit, and it sprung
upon its feet.
D. Webster. 2. Open to the knowledge or view of all; general; common; notorious; as, public report; public scandal.
Joseph, . . . not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put
her away privily.
Matt.
i. 19. 3. Open to common or general use; as, a public road; a public house. "The public street."
Shak.
Public act or statute (Law), an act or statute affecting matters
of public concern. Of such statutes the courts take judicial notice. -- Public credit. See under Credit. --
Public funds. See
Fund, 3. -- Public house, an inn, or house of entertainment. -- Public law. (a) See International law, under International. (b) A public act or
statute. -- Public
nuisance. (Law)
See under Nuisance. -- Public orator. (Eng.
Universities) See Orator, 3. -- Public stores, military and naval stores, equipments, etc. -- Public works, all fixed works built by civil engineers for public use, as railways, docks, canals,
etc.; but strictly, military and civil engineering works
constructed at the public cost.
Hear it pronounced