commons meaning: definition, quotations

commons

noun

US /ˈkɑmənz/ · UK /ˈkɒmənz/

8 senses

Usually, In construction A public area, especially a dining hall, at a college or university; a similar shared space elsewhere.

Usually, In construction A common (common land); especially, a central section of (usually an older) town, designated as a shared area.

The Renaissance festival started with the "peasants" meeting in the commons.
The commons is the green space surrounded by the village hall, the school, and the church.

1 more example

Figuratively The mutual good of all; the abstract concept of resources shared by more than one, for example air, water, information.

"The tragedy of the commons" is that none wish to make sacrifices of their or their family's interests for the common good.

The common people collectively, the third estate, the people not belonging to the nobility or clergy.

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 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene i:

Historical The free burghers/bourgeoisie of a given town, taken collectively.

UK, Obsolete Food served at a fixed rate from the college buttery, distinguished from battels.

Oxford University

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)

Food in general; rations.

short commons
Without eggs, cocoa-nuts, or plantains, we had very short commons, and the boisterous weather being unpropitious for fishing, we had to live on what few eatable birds we could shoot, with an occasional cuscus, or eastern opossum, the only quadruped, except pigs, inhabiting the island.1869, Alfred Russel Wallace, The Malay Archipelago, volume II, London: Macmillan and Co., page 357:

Derived terms: Commons House, digital commons, House of Commons, pinch-commons, tragedy of the commons
Related terms: common, common good, common ground, common land, commonplace, make common cause