public. (adj.). late 14c., publike, “open to general observation,” from Old French public (c. 1300) and directly from Latin publicus “of the people; of the state; done for the state,” also “common, general, of or belonging to the people at large; ordinary, vulgar,” and as a noun, “a commonwealth; public property.” This Latin word was altered (probably by influence of Latin pubes “adult …

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