Pub·lic a.
 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.
 To the public good
 Private respects must yield.   --Milton.
    He [Alexander Hamilton] touched the dead corpse of the public credit, and it sprung upon its feet.   --D. Webster.
 2. Open to the knowledge or view of all; general; common; notorious; as, public report; public scandal.
    Joseph, . . . not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.   --Matt. i. 19.
 3. Open to common or general use; as, a public road; a public house. “The public street.”
 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.