Public \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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |