Topic: GOVERNMENT
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| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Language: | French |
| Origin: | publique, from Latin publicus, probably from poplicus, from populus 'people'; influenced by pubes 'adult' ( PUBES) |
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pub‧lic1 S1 W1
1 relating to all the ordinary people in a country, who are not members of the government or do not have important jobs : 
We have to show that publishing this story is in the public interest (=helpful or useful to ordinary people).There was a public outcry (=display of anger by a lot of people) about the shooting.
ordinary people
[only before noun]PGCWe have to show that publishing this story is in the public interest (=helpful or useful to ordinary people).There was a public outcry (=display of anger by a lot of people) about the shooting.2 available for anyone to use [≠ private]: a public telephone a public footpath a public library
for anyone
[only before noun]a public telephonea public footpatha public library3 relating to the government and the services it provides for people [≠ private]: efforts to control public expenditure public funding for the arts ➔ public service
government
[only before noun]PGefforts to control public expenditurepublic funding for the arts4 known about by most people : It is a job that brings him constantly into the public eye (=seen or heard a lot on television, radio etc).
known about
It is a job that brings him constantly into the public eye (=seen or heard a lot on television, radio etc).5 intended for anyone to know, see, or hear [≠ private]: Today the school finds itself in the midst of a very public debate.
not hidden
Today the school finds itself in the midst of a very public debate. public display of grief/affection etc (=showing your emotions so that everyone can see) She was acutely embarrassed by his public display of temper.
She was acutely embarrassed by his public display of temper.6 a public place usually has a lot of people in it [≠ private]: Let's go somewhere less public where we can talk.
place with a lot of people
Let's go somewhere less public where we can talk.7 work that you do, especially for the government, that makes you well-known to many people : Howard seems to have retired from public life.
public life
Howard seems to have retired from public life.8 the public image of a famous person or organization is the character or attitudes that most people think they have
public image
9
go public
a) to tell everyone about something that was secret
b) PEBBC to become a public company : Many partnerships went public in the 1980s to secure extra capital.
Many partnerships went public in the 1980s to secure extra capital.10 a visit by a famous person in order to make a speech, advertise something etc : She is paid £10,000 for the briefest of public appearances.
public appearance
She is paid £10,000 for the briefest of public appearances.11
public property
a) something that is provided for anyone to use, and is usually owned by the government : The army was called out to protect public property.
The army was called out to protect public property.b) something that everyone has a right to know about : Our lives seem to have become public property.
Our lives seem to have become public property.12 the criminal, problem etc that is considered the most serious threat to people's safety : Drugs have become public enemy number one.
public enemy number one
SCCDrugs have become public enemy number one.