Search the Dictionary

The time between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday wherein marriages were formerly solemnized publicly in churches. [Eng.]

Favorable estimation; hence, consideration; reputation; fame; public sentiment or esteem. [Obs.] Thou hast redeemed thy lost opinion. Shak. This gained Agricola much opinion, who . . . had made such early progress into laborious . . . enterprises. Milton.

An elaborate discourse, delivered in public, treating an important subject in a formal and dignified manner; especially, a discourse having reference to some special occasion, as a funeral, an anniversary, a celebration, or the like; -- distinguished from an argument in court, a popular harangue, a sermon, a lecture, e…

A public speaker; one who delivers an oration; especially, one distinguished for his skill and power as a public speaker; one who is eloquent. I am no orator, as Brutus is. Shak. Some orator renowned In Athens or free Rome. Milton.

The art of an orator; the art of public speaking in an eloquent or effective manner; the exercise of rhetorical skill in oral discourse; eloquence. "The oratory of Greece and Rome." Milton. When a world of men Could not prevail with all their oratory. Shak.

A woman who makes public addresses. Warner.

The place in any public hall appropriated to a band of instrumental musicians.

Conformity with law or decorum; freedom from disturbance; general tranquillity; public quiet; as, to preserve order in a community or an assembly.

Banishment; exclusion; as, social ostracism. Public envy is as an ostracism, that eclipseth men when they grow too great. Bacon. Sentenced to a perpetual ostracism from the . . . confidence, and honors, and emoluments of his country. A. Hamilton.

in concealment, constraint, etc., in, or into, a state of freedom, openness, disclosure, publicity, etc.; as, the sun shines out; he laughed out, to be out at the elbows; the secret has leaked out, or is out; the disease broke out on his face; the book is out. Leaves are out and perfect in a month. Bacon. She has not…

Sale at public auction. Massinger. Thackeray.

A public pension granted to one not required to live in a charitable institution. -- Out"pen`sion*er, n.

Of or pertaining to the outer surface or to what is external; manifest; public. "Sins outward." Chaucer. An outward honor for an in ward toil. Shak.

Hence: An expression of popular homage; the tribute of the multitude to a public favorite. To rain an April of ovation round Their statues. Tennyson.

; a superintendent; a supervisor; as, an overseer of a mill; specifically, one or certain public officers; as, an overseer of the poor; an overseer of highways.

Open to view; public; apparent; manifest. Overt and apparent virtues bring forth praise. Bacon.

Publicly; openly.

large cup or deep saucer, containing fatty matter in which a wick is placed, -- used for public illuminations, as at St. Peter's, in Rome. Called also padelle.

Any loud and joyous song; a song of triumph. Dryden. "Public pæans of congratulation." De Quincey.

laborate exhibition devised for the entertainmeut of a distinguished personage, or of the public; a show, spectacle, or display. The gaze of fools, and pageant of a day ! Pope. We love the man, the paltry pageant you. Cowper.