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vulgar

1. Of or pertaining to the mass, or multitude, of people; common; general; ordinary; public; hence, in general use; vernacular. As common as any the most vulgar thing to sense. Things vulgar, and well-weighed, scarce worth the praise. (milton) It might be more useful to the english reader . . . To write in our vulgar language. (bp. Fell) The mechanical process of multiplying books had brought the new testament in the vulgar tongue within the reach of every class. (Bancroft)

2. Belonging or relating to the common people, as distinguished from the cultivated or educated; pertaining to common life; plebeian; not select or distinguished; hence, sometimes, of little or no value. Like the vulgar sort of market men. Men who have passed all their time in low and vulgar life. (Addison) In reading an account of a battle, we follow the hero with our whole attention, but seldom reflect on the vulgar heaps of slaughter. (Rambler)

3. Hence, lacking cultivation or refinement; rustic; boorish; also, offensive to good taste or refined feelings; low; coarse; mean; base; as, vulgar men, minds, language, or manners. Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. (Shak) Vulgar fraction.

(Science: mathematics) See fraction.

Origin: L. Vulgaris, from vulgus the multitude, the common people; of uncertain origin: cf. F. Vulgaire. Cf. Divulge.