Popular \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)