PUBLIC

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English publique, from Anglo-French, from Latin ~us; akin to Latin populus people Date: 14th century 1. exposed to general view ; open , well-known , prominent , perceptible , material , 2. of, relating to, or affecting all the people or the whole area of a nation or state , of or relating to a government, of, relating to, or being in the service of the community or nation, 3. of or relating to people in general ; universal , general , popular , of or relating to business or community interests as opposed to private affairs ; social , devoted to the general or national welfare ; humanitarian , 6. accessible to or shared by all members of the community, capitalized in shares that can be freely traded on the open market, supported by ~ funds and private contributions rather than by income from commercials , ~ness noun II. noun Date: 15th century a place accessible or visible to the ~, the people as a whole ; populace , a group of people having common interests or characteristics