a. [ L. publicus, poblicus, fr. populus people: cf. F. public. See People. ] 1. Of or pertaining to the people; belonging to the people; relating to, or affecting, a nation, state, or community; -- opposed to private; as, the public treasury. [ 1913 Webster ]

To the public good
Private respects must yield. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

He [ Alexander Hamilton ] touched the dead corpse of the public credit, and it sprung upon its feet. D. Webster. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Open to the knowledge or view of all; general; common; notorious; as, public report; public scandal. [ 1913 Webster ]

Joseph, . . . not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. Matt. i. 19. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Open to common or general use; as, a public road; a public house. “The public street.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

public act or
public statute (Law), an act or statute affecting matters of public concern. Of such statutes the courts take judicial notice. --
Public credit. See under Credit. --
Public funds. See Fund, 3. --
Public house, an inn, or house of entertainment. --
Public law. (a) See International law, under International. (b) A public act or statute. --
Public nuisance. (Law) See under Nuisance. --
Public orator. (Eng. Universities) See Orator, 3. --
Public stores, military and naval stores, equipments, etc. --
Public works, all fixed works built by civil engineers for public use, as railways, docks, canals, etc.; but strictly, military and civil engineering works constructed at the public cost. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The public is more disposed to censure than to praise. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A public house; an inn. [ Scot. ] Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

In public, openly; before an audience or the people at large; not in private or secrecy. “We are to speak in public.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. publicanus: cf. F. publicain. See Public. ] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) A farmer of the taxes and public revenues; hence, a collector of toll or tribute. The inferior officers of this class were often oppressive in their exactions, and were regarded with great detestation. [ 1913 Webster ]

As Jesus at meat . . . many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. Matt. 1x. 10. [ 1913 Webster ]

How like a fawning publican he looks! Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The keeper of an inn or public house; one licensed to retail beer, spirits, or wine. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. publicatio confiscation: cf. F. publication. See Publish. ] 1. The act of publishing or making known; notification to the people at large, either by words, writing, or printing; proclamation; divulgation; promulgation; as, the publication of the law at Mount Sinai; the publication of the gospel; the publication of statutes or edicts. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act of offering a book, pamphlet, engraving, etc., to the public by sale or by gratuitous distribution. [ 1913 Webster ]

The publication of these papers was not owing to our folly, but that of others. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which is published or made known; especially, any book, pamphlet, etc., offered for sale or to public notice; as, a daily or monthly publication. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. An act done in public. [ R. & Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

His jealousy . . . attends the business, the recreations, the publications, and retirements of every man. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

Publication of a libel (Law), such an exhibition of a libel as brings it to the notice of at least one person other than the person libeled. --
Publication of a will (Law), the delivery of a will, as his own, by a testator to witnesses who attest it. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Public-spirited. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. publiciste. ] A writer on the laws of nature and nations; one who is versed in the science of public right, the principles of government, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Whig leaders, however, were much more desirous to get rid of Episcopacy than to prove themselves consummate publicists and logicians. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. publicité. ] The quality or state of being public, or open to the knowledge of a community; notoriety; publicness. [ 1913 Webster ]

. A pamphlet which, in some States of the United States having the initiative or referendum, is mailed to the voters to inform them as to the nature of a measure submitted by the initiative or referendum. The pamphlet contains a copy of the proposed law and arguments for and against it by those favoring and opposing it, respectively. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. 1. to make public; to announce.
Syn. -- publicise, air, bare. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. Specifically: To announce in a manner intended to reach a large audience.
Syn. -- advertise, advertize, call attention to. [ WordNet 1.5 ] [ +PJC ]

adv. 1. With exposure to popular view or notice; without concealment; openly; as, property publicly offered for sale; an opinion publicly avowed; a declaration publicly made. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In the name of the community. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]