a. [ L. vulgaris, from vulgus the multitude, the common people; of uncertain origin: cf. F. vulgaire. Cf. Divulge. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. Of or pertaining to the mass, or multitude, of people; common; general; ordinary; public; hence, in general use; vernacular. “As common as any the most vulgar thing to sense. ” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] Things vulgar, and well-weighed, scarce worth the praise. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] It might be more useful to the English reader . . . to write in our vulgar language. Bp. Fell. [ 1913 Webster ] The mechanical process of multiplying books had brought the New Testament in the vulgar tongue within the reach of every class. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Belonging or relating to the common people, as distinguished from the cultivated or educated; pertaining to common life; plebeian; not select or distinguished; hence, sometimes, of little or no value. “Like the vulgar sort of market men.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] Men who have passed all their time in low and vulgar life. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ] In reading an account of a battle, we follow the hero with our whole attention, but seldom reflect on the vulgar heaps of slaughter. Rambler. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Hence, lacking cultivation or refinement; rustic; boorish; also, offensive to good taste or refined feelings; low; coarse; mean; base; as, vulgar men, minds, language, or manners. [ 1913 Webster ] Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] Vulgar fraction. (Arith.) See under Fraction. [ 1913 Webster ]
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