01 a. 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; p…
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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.“The men commonly held in popular estimation are greatest at a distance.” — J. H. Newman.
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2.
Suitable to common people; easy to be comprehended; not abstruse; familiar; plain.“Homilies are plain popular instructions.” — Hooker.
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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.
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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.
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5.
Devoted to the common people; studious of the favor of the populace.[R.]“Such popular humanity is treason.” — Addison.
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6.
Prevailing among the people; epidemic; as, a popular disease.[Obs.]
Phrases & compounds
Popular action —
an action in which any person may sue for penalty imposed by statute.