Definition: public

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

public
     adj 1: not private; open to or concerning the people as a whole;
            "the public good"; "public libraries"; "public funds";
            "public parks"; "a public scandal"; "public gardens";
            "performers and members of royal families are public
            figures" [ant: private]
     2: affecting the people or community as a whole; "community
        leaders"; "community interests"; "the public welfare"
        [syn: community]
     n 1: people in general considered as a whole; "he is a hero in
          the eyes of the public" [syn: populace, world]
     2: a body of people sharing some common interest; "the reading
        public"

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Public \Pub"lic\, n.
   1. The general body of mankind, or of a nation, state, or
      community; the people, indefinitely; as, the American
      public; also, a particular body or aggregation of people;
      as, an author's public.

            The public is more disposed to censure than to
            praise.                               --Addison.

   2. A public house; an inn. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.

   In public, openly; before an audience or the people at
      large; not in private or secrecy. ``We are to speak in
      public.'' --Shak.
Public \Pub"lic\, 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.

            To the public good Private respects must yield.
                                                  --Milton.

            He [Alexander Hamilton] touched the dead corpse of
            the public credit, and it sprung upon its feet. --D.
                                                  Webster.

   2. Open to the knowledge or view of all; general; common;
      notorious; as, public report; public scandal.

            Joseph, . . . not willing to make her a public
            example, was minded to put her away privily. --Matt.
                                                  i. 19.

   3. Open to common or general use; as, a public road; a public
      house. ``The public street.'' --Shak.

   Public act or 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.