commonalty

[ kom-uh-nl-tee ]

noun

, plural com·mon·al·ties.

1. Also the ordinary people, as distinguished from those with authority, rank, station, etc.; the common people.
2. an incorporated body or its members.

commonalty

/ ˈkɒmənəltɪ /

noun

1. the ordinary people as distinct from those with authority, rank, or title, esp when considered as a political and social unit or estate of the realm Compare third estate
2. the members of an incorporated society

Word History and Origins

Origin of commonalty¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Middle French comunalte, equivalent to comunal- communal + -te -ty ²; replacing Middle English communaute < Old French

Word History and Origins

Origin of commonalty¹

C13: from Old French comunalte, from comunal communal

Example Sentences

The schools are spread across sectors and wards, but share some commonalties.

From Washington Post

I’m struck by the commonalties of experience among those who identify as faculty members at US universities.

From The Guardian

But if we look back to the indigenous roots of mariachi, we find more commonalty, especially in the ritualistic and religious origins of the two musical traditions.

From Los Angeles Times

They make money by emphasizing differences, not by promoting commonalties.

From Seattle Times

When Lancelot rode by, laughing at some private joke with the Queen, the commonalty were amazed that be could laugh.

From Literature