Search the Dictionary

The act of sifting, and bringing out to view or examination; free discussion; public exposure. The ventilation of these points diffused them to the knowledge of the world. Bp. Hall.

Decision; judgment; opinion pronounced; as, to be condemned by the verdict of the public. These were enormities condemned by the most natural verdict of common humanity. South. Two generations have since confirmed the verdict which was pronounced on that night. Macaulay.

A little verse; especially, a short verse or text said or sung in public worship by the priest or minister, and followed by a response from the people. The psalms were in number fifteen, . . . being digested into versicles. Strype.

ry essence of truth is plainness and brightness. Milton. I looked on the consideration of public service or public ornament to be real and very justice. Burke.

ssential to the life or health of anything; as, the vitals of a state. "The vitals of the public body." Glanvill.

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. Things vulgar, and well-weighed, scarce worth the praise. Milton. It might be more useful to the English reader . . . to write in our vul…

nation. -- Holy war. See under Holy. -- Man of war. (Naut.) See in the Vocabulary. -- Public war, a war between independent sovereign states. -- War cry, a cry or signal used in war; as, the Indian war cry. -- War dance, a dance among savages preliminary to going to war. Among the North American Indians, it is be…

Security; warrant; guaranty. The stamp was a warranty of the public. Locke.

hak. We should be wary, therefore, what persecution we raise against the living labors of public men. Milton.

ght and a guard by day in towns, cities, and other districts, for the preservation of the public peace. Wharton. Burrill. -- Watch and watch (Naut.), the regular alternation in being on watch and off watch of the two watches into which a ship's crew is commonly divided. -- Watch barrel, the brass box in a watch, cont…

Sphere or scope of observation. Jer. Taylor. The public ministers that fell in my way. Sir W. Temple.

A list of passengers in a public vehicle, or of the baggage or gods transported by a common carrier on a land route. When the goods are transported by water, the list is called a bill of lading.

. To him linked in weal or woe. Milton. Never was there a time when it more concerned the public weal that the character of the Parliament should stand high. Macaulay.

Balanced or considered with reference to public weal. [Obs.] Shak.

A publication issued once in seven days, or appearing once a week.

One whose business it is to weigh ore, hay, merchandise, etc.; one licensed as a public weigher.

burden; as, the weight of care or business. "The weight of this said time." Shak. For the public all this weight he bears. Milton. [He] who singly bore the world's sad weight. Keble.

A source, spring, or fountain. At the wellhead the purest streams arise. Spenser. Our public-school and university life is a great wellhead of new and irresponsible words. Earle.

A house where the town poor are maintained at public expense, and provided with labor; a poorhouse.

The customs, practices, and interests of men; general affairs of life; human society; public affairs and occupations; as, a knowledge of the world. Happy is she that from the world retires. Waller. If knowledge of the world makes man perfidious, May Juba ever live in ignorance. Addison.