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 men 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.