Public (?), a. [L. publicus, poblicus, fr. populus people: cf. F. public. See People.] 1. Of or pertaining to the people; belonging to the people; relating to, or affecting, a nation, state, or community; -- opposed to private; as, the public treasury.
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To the public good
Private respects must yield. Milton.
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He [Alexander Hamilton] touched the dead corpse of the public credit, and it sprung upon its feet. D. Webster.
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2. Open to the knowledge or view of all; general; common; notorious; as, public report; public scandal.
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Joseph, . . . not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. Matt. i. 19.
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3. Open to common or general use; as, a public road; a public house. “The public street.” Shak.
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public act or public statute (Law), an act or statute affecting matters of public concern. Of such statutes the courts take judicial notice. -- Public credit. See under Credit. -- Public funds. See Fund, 3. -- Public house, an inn, or house of entertainment. -- Public law. (a) See International law, under International. (b) A public act or statute. -- Public nuisance. (Law) See under Nuisance. -- Public orator. (Eng. Universities) See Orator, 3. -- Public stores, military and naval stores, equipments, etc. -- Public works, all fixed works built by civil engineers for public use, as railways, docks, canals, etc.; but strictly, military and civil engineering works constructed at the public cost.
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