popular

a. [ L. popularis, fr. populus people: cf. F. populaire. See People. ] 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. “Popular states.” Bacon. “So the popular vote inclines.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The men commonly held in popular estimation are greatest at a distance. J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Suitable to common people; easy to be comprehended; not abstruse; familiar; plain. [ 1913 Webster ]

Homilies are plain popular instructions. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The smallest figs, called popular figs, . . . are, of all others, the basest and of least account. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Devoted to the common people; studious of the favor of the populace. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Such popular humanity is treason. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Prevailing among the people; epidemic; as, a popular disease. [ Obs. ] Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Popular action (Law), an action in which any person may sue for penalty imposed by statute. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Popularities [ L. popularitas an effort to please the people: cf. F. popularité. ] 1. The quality or state of being popular; especially, the state of being esteemed by, or of being in favor with, the people at large; good will or favor proceeding from the people; as, the popularity of a law, statesman, or a book. [ 1913 Webster ]

A popularity which has lasted down to our time. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The quality or state of being adapted or pleasing to common, poor, or vulgar people; hence, cheapness; inferiority; vulgarity. [ 1913 Webster ]

This gallant laboring to avoid popularity falls into a habit of affectation. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Something which obtains, or is intended to obtain, the favor of the vulgar; claptrap. [ 1913 Webster ]

Popularities, and circumstances which . . . sway the ordinary judgment. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The act of courting the favor of the people. [ Obs. ] “Indicted . . . for popularity and ambition.” Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Public sentiment; general passion. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

A little time be allowed for the madness of popularity to cease. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of making popular, or of introducing among the people. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Popularized p. pr. & vb. n. Popularizing ] [ Cf. F. populariser. ] To make popular; to make suitable or acceptable to the common people; to make generally known; as, to popularize philosophy. “The popularizing of religious teaching.” Milman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who popularizes. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a popular manner; so as to be generally favored or accepted by the people; commonly; currently; as, the story was popularity reported. [ 1913 Webster ]

The victor knight,
Bareheaded, popularly low had bowed. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]