Pop"py (?), n.; pl. Poppies (#). [OE. popy, AS. popig, L. papaver.]
(Bot.) Any plant or species of the genus Papaver, herbs with showy
polypetalous flowers and a milky juice. From one species (Papaver
somniferum) opium is obtained, though all the species contain it to
some extent; also, a flower of the plant. See Illust. of Capsule.
California poppy (Bot.), any yellow- flowered plant of the genus
Eschscholtzia. -- Corn poppy. See under Corn. -- Horn, or Horned,
poppy. See under Horn. -- Poppy bee (Zoˆl.), a leaf-cutting bee
(Anthocopa papaveris) which uses pieces cut from poppy petals for the
lining of its cells; -- called also upholsterer bee. -- Prickly poppy
(Bot.), Argemone Mexicana, a yellow-flowered plant of the Poppy family,
but as prickly as a thistle. -- Poppy seed, the seed the opium poppy
(P. somniferum). -- Spatling poppy (Bot.), a species of Silene (S.
inflata). See Catchfly.
{ Pop"py (?), Pop"py*head` (?), } n. [F. poupÈe doll, puppet. See
Puppet.] (Arch.) A raised ornament frequently having the form of a
final. It is generally used on the tops of the upright ends or elbows
which terminate seats, etc., in Gothic churches.
Pop"u*lace (?), n. [F. populace, fr. It. popolaccio, popolazzo, fr.
popolo people, L. populus. See People.] The common people; the vulgar;
the multitude, -- comprehending all persons not distinguished by rank,
office, education, or profession. Pope.
To . . . calm the peers and please the populace.
Daniel.
They . . . call us Britain's barbarous populaces.
Tennyson.
Syn. -- Mob; people; commonalty.
Pop"u*la*cy (?), n. Populace. [Obs.] Feltham.
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.
The men commonly held in popular estimation are greatest at a
distance.
J. H. Newman.
2. Suitable to common people; easy to be comprehended; not abstruse;
familiar; plain.
Homilies are plain popular instructions.
Hooker.
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.
The smallest figs, called popular figs, . . . are, of all others,
the basest and of least account.
Holland.
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.
5. Devoted to the common people; studious of the favor of the populace.
[R.]
Such popular humanity is treason.
Addison.
6. Prevailing among the people; epidemic; as, a popular disease. [Obs.]
Johnson.
Popular action (Law), an action in which any person may sue for penalty
imposed by statute. Blackstone.
||Pop`u*la"res (?), n. pl. [L.] The people or the people's party, in
||ancient Rome, as opposed to the optimates.
Pop`u*lar"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Popularities (#). [L. popularitas an effort
to please the people: cf. F. popularitÈ.] 1. The quality or state of
being popular; especially, the state of being esteemed by, or of being
in favor with, the people at large; good will or favor proceeding from
the people; as, the popularity of a law, statesman, or a book.
A popularity which has lasted down to our time.
Macaulay.
2. The quality or state of being adapted or pleasing to common, poor,
or vulgar people; hence, cheapness; inferiority; vulgarity.
This gallant laboring to avoid popularity falls into a habit of
affectation.
B. Jonson.
3. Something which obtains, or is intended to obtain, the favor of the
vulgar; claptrap.
Popularities, and circumstances which . . . sway the ordinary
judgment.
Bacon.
4. The act of courting the favor of the people. [Obs.] "Indicted . . .
for popularity and ambition." Holland.