Vul"gar , n. [Cf. F. vulgaire.]
1. One of the common people; a vulgar person. [Obs.]
These vile vulgars are extremely proud.
Chapman. 2. The vernacular, or common language. [Obs.]
Vul"gar (?), a. [L. vulgaris, from
vulgus the multitude, the common people; of uncertain origin: cf. F. vulgaire. Cf.
Divulge.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the mass, or multitude, of people; common; general; ordinary; public; hence, in general use; vernacular. "As common as any
the most vulgar thing to sense. " Shak.
Things vulgar, and well-weighed, scarce worth the praise.
Milton. It might be more
useful to the English reader . . . to write in our
vulgar language.
Bp. Fell. The mechanical process of multiplying books had brought the New Testament in the vulgar tongue within the reach of
every class.
Bancroft. 2. Belonging or relating to the common
people, as distinguished from the cultivated or educated; pertaining to common life; plebeian; not select or distinguished; hence, sometimes, of little or no
value. "Like the vulgar sort of market men." Shak.
Men who have passed all their time in
low and vulgar life.
Addison. In reading an account of a
battle, we follow the hero with our
whole attention, but seldom reflect on the
vulgar heaps of slaughter.
Rambler. 3. Hence, lacking cultivation
or refinement; rustic; boorish; also, offensive to good taste
or refined feelings; low; coarse; mean; base; as, vulgar men, minds, language, or manners.
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.
Shak. Vulgar fraction.
(Arith.) See under
Fraction.
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