Pop"u*lar (?), a. [L. popularis, fr. populus people: cf. F. populaire. See People.]
1. Of or
pertaining to the common people, or to the whole body of
the people, as distinguished from a select
portion; as, the popular voice; popular
elections. "Popular states." Bacon. "So the popular vote inclines." Milton.
The men commonly held in popular estimation are greatest at a distance.
J. H. Newman. 2. Suitable to common people; easy to be
comprehended; not abstruse;
familiar; plain.
Homilies are plain popular
instructions.
Hooker.
3. Adapted to the means of the
common people; possessed or obtainable by the many; hence, cheap; common; ordinary; inferior; as, popular prices; popular amusements.
The smallest figs, called popular figs, . . . are, of all others, the basest and of least account.
Holland. 4. Beloved or approved by the people; pleasing to people in
general, or to many people; as, a
popular preacher;
a popular law; a popular administration.
5. Devoted to the common
people; studious of the favor
of the populace. [R.]
Such popular humanity is treason.
Addison. 6. Prevailing among the people; epidemic; as, a popular disease. [Obs.] Johnson.
Popular action (Law), an action in which any person may sue for penalty imposed by statute. Blackstone.
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