Pronunciations (4)
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/ˈkɑmənz/
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
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/ˈkɒmənz/
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
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ˈkɑmənz
Pronunciation notes
- US
-
ˈkɒmənz
Pronunciation notes
- GB
Noun
A public area, especially a dining hall, at a college or university; a similar shared space elsewhere.
Usage- plural
- singular
- usually
- in construction
A common (common land); especially, a central section of (usually an older) town, designated as a shared area.
Usage- plural
- singular
- usually
- in construction
- Examples
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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.
More examples (1)
The commons of New England towns are important contributors to their charm.
The mutual good of all; the abstract concept of resources shared by more than one, for example air, water, information.
Usage- Figurative
- plural
- singular
- Synonyms
- Examples
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"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.
Usage- plural
- singular
- Synonyms
- Examples
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We in the name of other Perſean ſtates [i.e. nobles], And commons of this mightie Monarchy, Preſent thee with the Emperiall Diadem.
The free burghers/bourgeoisie of a given town, taken collectively.
Usage- Historical
- plural
- singular
An outhouse.
Usage- euphemistic
- Obsolete
- plural
- singular
- Synonyms
Food served at a fixed rate from the college buttery, distinguished from battels.
Usage- UK usage
- Obsolete
- plural
- singular
- Examples
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More examples (1)
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.
Food in general; rations.
Usage- plural
- singular
- Examples
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short commons
More examples (1)
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.
Noun
a piece of open land for recreational use in an urban area
- Examples
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they went for a walk in the park
a pasture subject to common use
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
a class composed of persons lacking clerical or noble rank
- Synonyms
- Broader terms