Public \Pub"lic\, a. [L. publicus, poblicus, fr. populus people:
   cf. F. public. See People.]
   1. Of or pertaining to the people; belonging to the people;
      relating to, or affecting, a nation, state, or community;
      -- opposed to private; as, the public treasury.
      [1913 Webster]

            To the public good
            Private respects must yield.          --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

            He [Alexander Hamilton] touched the dead corpse of
            the public credit, and it sprung upon its feet. --D.
                                                  Webster.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Open to the knowledge or view of all; general; common;
      notorious; as, public report; public scandal.
      [1913 Webster]

            Joseph, . . . not willing to make her a public
            example, was minded to put her away privily. --Matt.
                                                  i. 19.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Open to common or general use; as, a public road; a public
      house. "The public street." --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   public act or public statute (Law), an act or statute
      affecting matters of public concern. Of such statutes the
      courts take judicial notice.

   Public credit. See under Credit.

   Public funds. See Fund, 3.

   Public house, an inn, or house of entertainment.

   Public law.
      (a) See International law, under International.
      (b) A public act or statute.

   Public nuisance. (Law) See under Nuisance.

   Public orator. (Eng. Universities) See Orator, 3.

   Public stores, military and naval stores, equipments, etc.
      

   Public works, all fixed works built by civil engineers for
      public use, as railways, docks, canals, etc.; but
      strictly, military and civil engineering works constructed
      at the public cost.
      [1913 Webster]

	

	public works
    n 1: structures (such as highways or schools or bridges or
         docks) constructed at government expense for public use