Popularities

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Popularity \Pop`u*lar"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Popularities}. [L.
     popularitas an effort to please the people: cf. F.
     popularit['e].]
     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.
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              A popularity which has lasted down to our time.
                                                    --Macaulay.
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     2. The quality or state of being adapted or pleasing to
        common, poor, or vulgar people; hence, cheapness;
        inferiority; vulgarity.
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              This gallant laboring to avoid popularity falls into
              a habit of affectation.               --B. Jonson.
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     3. Something which obtains, or is intended to obtain, the
        favor of the vulgar; claptrap.
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              Popularities, and circumstances which . . . sway the
              ordinary judgment.                    --Bacon.
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     4. The act of courting the favor of the people. [Obs.]
        "Indicted . . . for popularity and ambition." --Holland.
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     5. Public sentiment; general passion. [R.]
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              A little time be allowed for the madness of
              popularity to cease.                  --Bancroft.
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