popularity

Definitions

1. 1.The quality or state of being adapted or pleasing to common, poor, or vulgar people; hence, cheapness; inferiority; vulgarity. This gallant laboring to avoid popularity falls into a habit of affectation. B. Jonson.
2. 2.Something which obtains, or is intended to obtain, the favor of the vulgar; claptrap. Popularities, and circumstances which . . . sway the ordinary judgment. Bacon.
3. 3.The act of courting the favor of the people. [Obs.] "Indicted . . . for popularity and ambition." Holland.
4. 4.Public sentiment; general passion. [R.] A little time be allowed for the madness of popularity to cease. Bancroft.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Related questions

• What does "popularity" mean?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is popularity.

• What is something which obtains, or is intended to obtain, the favor of the vulgar; claptrap. Popularities, and circumstances which . . . sway the ordinary judgment. Bacon called?
• What is the act of courting the favor of the people. [Obs.] "Indicted . . . for popularity and ambition." Holland called?
• What is public sentiment; general passion. [R.] A little time be allowed for the madness of popularity to cease. Bancroft called?