Search results for 'common':

common adj 1 often met with; frequent; familiar • a common mistake. 2 shared by two or more people, things, etc • characteristics common to both animals. 3 publicly owned. 4 said of a standard one has a right to expect • common decency. 5 widespread • common knowledge. 6 derog lacking taste or refinement; vulgar. 7 a said of the ordinary type • the common cold; b especially of plants and animals: general or ordinary • common toad • common bindweed. 8 not of high rank or class • the common people. 9 math shared by two or more numbers • highest common factor. noun 1 a piece of land that is publicly owned or available for public use. 2 law a right to something, or to do something, on someone else's land. 3 slang common sense. See also commons. commonly adverb. commonness noun. the common touch an ability, in someone distinguished by accomplishment or rank, to relate sociably to ordinary people. in common 1 said of two people with regard to their interests, etc: shared. 2 in joint use or ownership • a garden owned in common by the residents. make common cause to co-operate to achieve a common aim.
ETYMOLOGY: 13c: as commun, from French comun, from Latin communis.