pub·lic
(pŭb́lĭk)
[Middle English publik, from Old French public, from Latin pūblicus, alteration (influenced by pūbēs, adult population), of poplicus, from populus, people, of Etruscan origin.]
adjective
- Of, concerning, or affecting the community or the people: the public good.
- Maintained for or used by the people or community: a public park.
- Capitalized in shares of stock that can be traded on the open market: a public company.
- Participated in or attended by the people or community: “Opinions are formed in a process of open discussion and public debate” (Hannah Arendt)
- Connected with or acting on behalf of the people, community, or government: public office.
- Enrolled in or attending a public school: transit passes for public students.
- Open to the knowledge or judgment of all: a public scandal.
noun
- The community or the people as a whole.
- A group of people sharing a common interest: the reading public.
- Admirers or followers, especially of a famous person. See Usage Note at: collective noun
idioms
- go public
- To become publicly owned, by launching shares of stock onto the open market: The company went public after having been closely held for 12 years.
- go public with
- To reveal to the public a previously unknown or secret piece of information: The president finally had to go public with the scandal.
- in public
- In such a way as to be visible to the scrutiny of the people: “A career is born in public—talent in privacy” (Marilyn Monroe)
derivatives
- pub́lic·ness
- noun
