Cŏm'mons, n. pl.
Sense 1. The mass of the people, as distinguished from the titled classes or nobility; the commonalty.
’Tis like, the commons, rude, unpolished hinds, Could send such message to their sovereign. Shak.
Sense 2. The lower house of parliament, consisting of the representatives of cities, boroughs, and counties, chosen by men possessed of the property or qualifications required by law. [Eng.]
It is agreed that the Commons were no part of the great council till some ages after the Conquest. Hume.
Sense 3. Provisions; food; fare; — so called from the practice of eating at a common table formerly prevalent in colleges and universities.
Their commons, though but coarse, were nothing scant. Dryden.
Sense 4. A club or association where all eat at a common table; as, to board in commons.
Doctors Commons, a college composed of doctors of civil law, who formerly had jurisdiction in matters pertaining to wills, marriages, and divorces. [London.] — To be on short commons, to have a small allowance of food. [Colloq.]