I. ˈpə-blik adjective
Etymology: Middle English publique, from Anglo-French, from Latin publicus; akin to Latin populus people
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : exposed to general view : open
b. : well-known , prominent
c. : perceptible , material
2.
a. : of, relating to, or affecting all the people or the whole area of a nation or state
public law
b. : of or relating to a government
c. : of, relating to, or being in the service of the community or nation
3.
a. : of or relating to people in general : universal
b. : general , popular
4. : of or relating to business or community interests as opposed to private affairs : social
5. : devoted to the general or national welfare : humanitarian
6.
a. : accessible to or shared by all members of the community
b. : capitalized in shares that can be freely traded on the open market — often used with go
7. : supported by public funds and private contributions rather than by income from commercials
public radio
public television
• pub·lic·ness noun
II. noun
Date: 15th century
1. : a place accessible or visible to the public — usually used in the phrase in public
2. : the people as a whole : populace
3. : a group of people having common interests or characteristics ; specifically : the group at which a particular activity or enterprise aims