Public, pub′lik, adj. of or belonging to the people: pertaining to a community or a nation: general: common to or shared in by all: generally known.—n. the people: the general body of mankind: the people, indefinitely: a public-house, tavern.—ns. Pub′lican, the keeper of an inn or public-house: (orig.) a farmer-general of the Roman taxes: a tax-collector; Publicā′tion, the act of publishing or making public: a proclamation: the act of printing and sending out for sale, as a book: that which is published as a book, &c.—ns.pl. Pub′lic-bills, -laws, &c., bills, laws, &c. which concern the interests of the whole people; Pub′lic-funds, money lent to government for which interest is paid of a stated amount at a stated time.—ns. Pub′lic-house, a house open to the public: one chiefly used for selling beer and other liquors: an inn or tavern; Pub′lic-institū′tion, an institution kept up by public funds for the public use, as an educational or charitable foundation; Pub′licist, one who writes on or is skilled in public law, or on current political topics; Public′ity, the state of being public or open to the knowledge of all: notoriety; Pub′lic-law (see International).—adv. Pub′licly.—adjs. Pub′lic-mind′ed, -spir′ited, having a spirit actuated by regard to the public interest: with a regard to the public interest.—ns. Pub′licness; Pub′lic-opin′ion, the view which the people of a district or county take of any question of public interest; Pub′lic-pol′icy, the main principles or spirit upon which the law of a country is constructed; Pub′lic-spir′it, a strong desire and effort to work on behalf of the public interest.—adv. Pub′lic-spir′itedly.—n. Pub′lic-spir′itedness.—n.pl. Pub′lic-works, permanent works or improvements made for public use or benefit.—Public health, the department in any government, municipality, &c. which superintends sanitation; Public holiday, a general holiday ordained by parliament; Public lands, lands belonging to government, esp. such as are open to sale, grant, &c.; Public orator, an officer of English universities who is the voice of the Senate upon all public occasions; Public school (see School).—In public, in open view. [Fr.,—L. publicus—populus, the people.]
Publish, pub′lish, v.t. to make public: to divulge: to announce: to proclaim: to send forth to the public: to print and offer for sale: to put into circulation.—adj. Pub′lishable.—ns. Pub′lisher, one who makes public: one who publishes books; Pub′lishment, publication, esp. of banns.
Puce, pūs, adj. brownish-purple. [Fr. puce—L. pulex, pulĭcis, a flea.]
Pucelle, pū-sel′, n. a maid, virgin, esp. the Maid of Orleans, Jeanne d'Arc (1412-31): a wanton girl.—n. Pū′celage, virginity. [O. Fr. through Low L.,—L. pullus, a young animal.]
Puck, puk, n. a goblin or mischievous sprite: a merry fairy in Midsummer Night's Dream.—adj. Puck′ish. [M. E. pouke—Celt., as Ir. puca, W. pwca, bwg; conn. with Ice. púki. Cf. Pug, Bug.]
Pucka, puk′a, adj. durable, substantial—opp. to Cutcha. [Anglo-Ind.]
Puck-ball. Same as Puff-ball.
Pucker, puk′ėr, v.t. to gather into folds: to wrinkle.—n. a fold or wrinkle: a number of folds or wrinkles, esp. irregular ones: (coll.) agitation, confusion.—adj. Puck′ery, astringent: tending to wrinkle. [Cf. Poke, a bag, and Pock.]
Pud, pud, n. (coll.) a paw, fist, hand. [Perh. Dut. poot, paw.]
Puddening, pud′ning, n. a thick pad of rope, &c., used as a fender on the bow of a boat.