The public is more disposed to censure than to
praise. --Addison.
2. A public house; an inn. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.
{In public}, openly; before an audience or the people at
large; not in private or secrecy. ``We are to speak in
public.'' --Shak.
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.'' --Shak.
{Public act} or {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.