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.
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.