- public
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/pub"lik/, adj.1. of, pertaining to, or affecting a population or a community as a whole: public funds; a public nuisance.2. done, made, acting, etc., for the community as a whole: public prosecution.3. open to all persons: a public meeting.4. of, pertaining to, or being in the service of a community or nation, esp. as a government officer: a public official.5. maintained at the public expense and under public control: a public library; a public road.6. generally known: The fact became public.7. familiar to the public; prominent: public figures.8. open to the view of all; existing or conducted in public: a public dispute.9. pertaining or devoted to the welfare or well-being of the community: public spirit.10. of or pertaining to all humankind; universal.11. go public,a. to issue stock for sale to the general public.b. to present private or previously concealed information, news, etc., to the public; make matters open to public view: The Senator threatened to go public with his Congressional-reform plan.12. make public, to cause to become known generally, as through the news media: Her resignation was made public this morning.n.13. the people constituting a community, state, or nation.14. a particular group of people with a common interest, aim, etc.: the book-buying public.15. Brit. Informal. a tavern; public house.16. in public, not in private; in a situation open to public view or access; publicly: It was the first time that she had sung in public.[1400-50; < L publicus (earlier poblicus, poplicus, akin to populus PEOPLE); r. late ME publique < MF < L, as above]
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Universalium. 2010.