Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Public \Pub"lic\, n.
   1. The general body of mankind, or of a nation, state, or
      community; the people, indefinitely; as, the American
      public; also, a particular body or aggregation of people;
      as, an author's public.

            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.

Public \Pub"lic\, a. [L. publicus, poblicus, fr. populus people:
   cf. F. public. See {People}.]
   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.'' --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.

Source : WordNet®

public
     adj 1: not private; open to or concerning the people as a whole;
            "the public good"; "public libraries"; "public funds";
            "public parks"; "a public scandal"; "public gardens";
            "performers and members of royal families are public
            figures" [ant: {private}]
     2: affecting the people or community as a whole; "community
        leaders"; "community interests"; "the public welfare"

public
     n 1: people in general considered as a whole; "he is a hero in
          the eyes of the public" [syn: {populace}, {world}]
     2: a body of people sharing some common interest; "the reading
        public"