Pŏp'ŭ-lār'i-ty, n.
n. [Lat. popularitas, Fr. popularité, Sp. popularidad, It. popularità.]
Sense 1. The quality or state of being popular; especially, (a.) The state of being suitable to, or beloved by, the people. “A popularity which has lasted down to our time.” Macaulay. (b.) The state of being adapted, or pleasing, to common or vulgar people; hence, the condition of being common or inferior; vulgarity.
This gallant laboring to avoid popularity, falls into a habit of affectation ten thousand times hatefuller than the former. B. Jonson.
Sense 2. Representation suited to vulgar or common conception; that which is intended or adapted to procure the favor of the people. [Obs.] Bacon.