*commons*

n. pl., 1. The mass of the people, as distinguished from the titled classes or nobility; the commonalty; the common people. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

'T is like the commons, rude unpolished hinds,
Could send such message to their sovereign. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The word commons in its present ordinary signification comprises all the people who are under the rank of peers. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The House of Commons, or lower house of the British Parliament, consisting of representatives elected by the qualified voters of counties, boroughs, and universities. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is agreed that the Commons were no part of the great council till some ages after the Conquest. Hume. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Provisions; food; fare, -- as that provided at a common table in colleges and universities. [ 1913 Webster ]

Their commons, though but coarse, were nothing scant. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A club or association for boarding at a common table, as in a college, the members sharing the expenses equally; as, to board in commons. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A common; public pasture ground. [ 1913 Webster ]

To shake his ears, and graze in commons. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Doctors' Commons, a place near St. Paul's Churchyard in London where the doctors of civil law used to common together, and where were the ecclesiastical and admiralty courts and offices having jurisdiction of marriage licenses, divorces, registration of wills, etc. --
To be on short commons, to have a small allowance of food. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]