n. [ Common + weal. ] Commonwealth. [ 1913 Webster ]
Such a prince,
So kind a father of the commonweal. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Common + wealth well-being. ]
The trappings of a monarchy would set up an ordinary commonwealth. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ This term is applied to governments which are considered as free or popular, but rarely, or improperly, to an absolute government. The word signifies, strictly, the common well-being or happiness; and hence, a form of government in which the general welfare is regarded rather than the welfare of any class. [ 1913 Webster ]