- Popular
- Popular Pop"u*lar, a. [L. popularis, fr. populus people: cf.
F. populaire. See {People}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the common people, or to the whole
body of the people, as distinguished from a select
portion; as, the popular voice; popular elections.
``Popular states.'' --Bacon. ``So the popular vote
inclines.'' --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
The men commonly held in popular estimation are greatest at a distance. --J. H. Newman. [1913 Webster]
2. Suitable to common people; easy to be comprehended; not abstruse; familiar; plain. [1913 Webster]
Homilies are plain popular instructions. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]
3. Adapted to the means of the common people; possessed or obtainable by the many; hence, cheap; common; ordinary; inferior; as, popular prices; popular amusements. [1913 Webster]
The smallest figs, called popular figs, . . . are, of all others, the basest and of least account. --Holland. [1913 Webster]
4. Beloved or approved by the people; pleasing to people in general, or to many people; as, a popular preacher; a popular law; a popular administration. [1913 Webster]
5. Devoted to the common people; studious of the favor of the populace. [R.] [1913 Webster]
Such popular humanity is treason. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
6. Prevailing among the people; epidemic; as, a popular disease. [Obs.] --Johnson. [1913 Webster]
{Popular action} (Law), an action in which any person may sue for penalty imposed by statute. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
