public

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
public/ˈpʌblɪk/

▶adjective

• 1 of, concerning, or open to the people as a whole.

  ■ involved in the affairs of the community, especially in government or entertainment: a public figure.

• 2 done, perceived, or existing in open view.

• 3 of or provided by the state rather than an independent commercial company.

▶noun (the public) [treated as sing. or pl.] ordinary people in general; the community.

■ [with modifier] a section of the community with a shared interest or activity: the reading public.

– phrases
go public

• 1 become a public company.

• 2 reveal details about a previously private concern.

in public in view of other people; when others are present.

– derivatives
publicly adverb.

– origin ME: from OFr., from L. publicus, blend of poplicus ‘of the people’ and pubes ‘adult’.