• Noun: people in general considered as a whole; example: "he is a hero in the eyes of the public"
• Noun: a body of people sharing some common interest; example: "the reading public"
• Adj: not private; open to or concerning the people as a whole; examples: "the public good", "public libraries", "public funds", "public parks", "a public scandal", "public gardens", "performers and members of royal families are public figures"
• Adj: affecting the people or community as a whole; examples: "community leaders", "community interests", "the public welfare"
The public! the public! how many fools does it require to make the public?
A public office is not a job, it is an opportunity to do something for the public.