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. See third estate
   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

We never hear again of Thersites, or of any one of the commonalty, daring to open his mouth in an assembly.

From Project Gutenberg

We have cited the enthusiasm of the commonalty for the First Crusade as marking a new phase in social history.

From Project Gutenberg

The British got votes because they wanted them; the Irish commonalty got votes because the English did.

From Project Gutenberg

No national culture in the court, nor among the commonalty; a steady decay.

From Project Gutenberg

In the year 1315, it was granted by Robert de Baldock to the mayor and commonalty of London.

From Project Gutenberg