Pop"u*lar (?), a. [L. popularis, fr. populus people: cf. F. populaire. See People.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the common people, or to the whole body of the people, as distinguished from a select portion; as, the popular voice; popular elections.
"
Popular states."
Bacon. "So the
popular vote inclines."
Milton.
The commonly held in popular estimation are greatest at a distance.
J. H. Newman.
2.
Suitable to common people; easy to be comprehended; not abstruse; familiar; plain.
Homilies are plain popular instructions.
Hooker.
3.
Adapted to the means of the common people; possessed or obtainable by the many; hence, cheap; common; ordinary; inferior; as, popular prices; popular amusements.
The smallest figs, called popular figs, . . . are, of all others, the basest and of least account.
Holland.
4.
Beloved or approved by the people; pleasing to people in general, or to many people; as, a popular preacher; a popular law; a popular administration.
5.
Devoted to the common people; studious of the favor of the populace.
[R.]
Such popular humanity is treason.
Addison.
6.
Prevailing among the people; epidemic; as, a popular disease.
[Obs.]
Johnson.
Popular action Law, an action in which any person may sue for penalty imposed by statute.
Blackstone.
© Webster 1913.