- Vulgar
- Vulgar Vul"gar, a. [L. vulgaris, from vulgus the multitude,
the common people; of uncertain origin: cf. F. vulgaire. Cf.
{Divulge}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. Of or pertaining to the mass, or multitude, of people;
common; general; ordinary; public; hence, in general use;
vernacular. ``As common as any the most vulgar thing to
sense. '' -- Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Things vulgar, and well-weighed, scarce worth the praise. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
It might be more useful to the English reader . . . to write in our vulgar language. --Bp. Fell. [1913 Webster]
The mechanical process of multiplying books had brought the New Testament in the vulgar tongue within the reach of every class. --Bancroft. [1913 Webster]
2. Belonging or relating to the common people, as distinguished from the cultivated or educated; pertaining to common life; plebeian; not select or distinguished; hence, sometimes, of little or no value. ``Like the vulgar sort of market men.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Men who have passed all their time in low and vulgar life. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
In reading an account of a battle, we follow the hero with our whole attention, but seldom reflect on the vulgar heaps of slaughter. --Rambler. [1913 Webster]
3. Hence, lacking cultivation or refinement; rustic; boorish; also, offensive to good taste or refined feelings; low; coarse; mean; base; as, vulgar men, minds, language, or manners. [1913 Webster]
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
{Vulgar fraction}. (Arith.) See under {Fraction}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
