Definition of "commons"

commons

/ˈkɑmənz/

noun
1. plural of common
noun
1. (usually singular in construction) A public area, especially a dining hall, at a college or university; a similar shared spaced elsewhere.
2. (usually singular in construction) A central section of (usually an older) town, designated as a shared area: a common.
3. (figuratively) The mutual good of all; the abstract concept of resources shared by more than one, for example air, water, information.
4. The common people collectively, the third estate, the people not belonging to the nobility or clergy
  Quotations
  We in the name of other Perſean ſtates [i.e. nobles],And commons of this mightie Monarchy,Preſent thee with the Emperiall Diadem.
  c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, (please specify the page)
5. (chiefly historical) The free burghers/bourgeoisie of a given town, taken collectively.
6. (euphemistic, obsolete) An outhouse.
7. (obsolete, UK, Oxford University) Food served at a fixed rate from the college buttery, distinguished from battels.
  Quotations
  At the same time, the fashion at Oxford of confining lunch to a "commons" of bread and butter and a glass of beer till the crew reaches Putney (when a little meat is allowed,) is unreasonable.
  1875, Walter Bradford Woodgate, "Oars and Sculls," and How to Use Them (page 125)
8. Food in general; rations.
verb
1. third-person singular simple present indicative of common

Definition of "commons"

commons

noun

noun

Quotations

Quotations

verb