Publicness

pub·lic  (pblk)

adj.

1. Of, concerning, or affecting the community or the people: the public good.

2. Maintained for or used by the people or community: a public park.

3. Capitalized in shares of stock that can be traded on the open market: a public company.

4. Participated in or attended by the people or community: "Opinions are formed in a process of open discussion and public debate" (Hannah Arendt).

5. Connected with or acting on behalf of the people, community, or government: public office.

6. Enrolled in or attending a public school: transit passes for public students.

7. Open to the knowledge or judgment of all: a public scandal.

n.

1. The community or the people as a whole.

2. A group of people sharing a common interest: the reading public.

3. Admirers or followers, especially of a famous person. See Usage Note at collective noun.

Idioms:

go public

To become publicly owned, by launching shares of stock onto the open market: The company went public after having been closely held for 12 years.

go public with Informal

To reveal to the public a previously unknown or secret piece of information: The president finally had to go public with the scandal.

in public

In such a way as to be visible to the scrutiny of the people: "A career is born in publictalent in privacy" (Marilyn Monroe).

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[Middle English publik, from Old French public, from Latin pblicus, alteration (influenced by pbs, adult population) of poplicus, from populus, people, of Etruscan origin.]

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public·ness n.