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Webster 1913 Edition

Popularity

Popˊu-lar′i-ty

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Popularities
(#)
.
[L.
popularitas
an effort to please the people: cf. F.
popularité
.]
1.
The quality or state of being popular; especially, the state of being esteemed by, or of being in favor with, the people at large; good will or favor proceeding from the people;
as, the
popularity
of a law, statesman, or a book
.
A
popularity
which has lasted down to our time.
Macaulay.
2.
The quality or state of being adapted or pleasing to common, poor, or vulgar people; hence, cheapness; inferiority; vulgarity.
This gallant laboring to avoid
popularity
falls into a habit of affectation.
B. Jonson.
3.
Something which obtains, or is intended to obtain, the favor of the vulgar; claptrap.
Popularities
, and circumstances which . . . sway the ordinary judgment.
Bacon.
4.
The act of courting the favor of the people.
[Obs.]
“Indicted . . . for popularity and ambition.”
Holland.
5.
Public sentiment; general passion.
[R.]
A little time be allowed for the madness of
popularity
to cease.
Bancroft.

Webster 1828 Edition

Popularity

POPULAR'ITY

,
Noun.
[L. popularitas.] Favor of the people; the state of possessing the affections and confidence of the people in general; as the popularity of the ministry; the popularity of a public officer or of a preacher. It is applied also to things; as the popularity of a law or public measure; the popularity of a book or poem. The most valuable trait in a patriot's character is to forbear all improper compliances for gaining popularity.
I have long since learned the little value which is to be placed in popularity, acquired by any other way than virtue; I have also learned that it is often obtained by other means.
The man whose ruling principle is duty--is never perplexed with anxious corroding calculations of interest and popularity.
1.
Representation suited to vulgar or common conception; that which is intended or adapted to procure the favor of the people. [Little used.]

Definition 2024

popularity

popularity

English

Noun

popularity ‎(usually uncountable, plural popularities)

  1. The quality or state of being popular; especially, the state of being esteemed by, or of being in favor with, the people at large; good will or favor proceeding from the people; as, the popularity of a law, statesman, or a book.
  2. (archaic) The quality or state of being adapted or pleasing to common, poor, or vulgar people; hence, cheapness; inferiority; vulgarity.
    This gallant laboring to avoid popularity falls into a habit of affectation. — Ben Jonson.
  3. (archaic) Something which obtains, or is intended to obtain, the favor of the vulgar; claptrap.
    Popularities, and circumstances which […] sway the ordinary judgment. — Bacon.
  4. (obsolete) The act of courting the favour of the people.
    Indicted […] for popularity and ambition. — Holland.
  5. (archaic) Public sentiment; general passion.
    A little time be allowed for the madness of popularity to cease. — Bancroft.

Derived terms

  • popularity contest

Translations

External links

  • popularity in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • popularity in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

Etymology

From Latin popularitas ‎(“an effort to please the people”).

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌpɒp.jəˈlæɹ.ɪ.ti/

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