commun

n. A French theory of government which holds that commune should be a kind of independent state, and the national government a confederation of such states, having only limited powers. It is advocated by advanced French republicans; but it should not be confounded with communism. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. communaliste. ] An advocate of communalism. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to communalism. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F., fr. commun. See Common. ] 1. The commonalty; the common people. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

In this struggle -- to use the technical words of the time -- of the “commune”, the general mass of the inhabitants, against the “prudhommes” or “wiser” few. J. R. Green. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A small territorial district in France under the government of a mayor and municipal council; also, the inhabitants, or the government, of such a district. See Arrondissement. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Absolute municipal self-government. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. a group of people living together as an organized community and owning in common most or all of their property and possessions, and sharing work, income, and many other aspects of daily life. Such sommunities are oftten organized based on religious or idealistic principles, and they sometimes have unconventional lifestyles, practises, or moral codes. [ PJC ]

The Commune of Paris, or
The Commune (a) The government established in Paris (1792-94) by a usurpation of supreme power on the part of representatives chosen by the communes; the period of its continuance is known as the “Reign of Terror.” (b) The revolutionary government, modeled on the commune of 1792, which the communists, so called, attempted to establish in 1871. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Communion; sympathetic intercourse or conversation between friends. [ 1913 Webster ]

For days of happy commune dead. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Communed p. pr. & vb. n. Communing. ] [ OF. communier, fr. L. communicare to communicate, fr. communis common. See Common, and cf. Communicate. ] 1. To converse together with sympathy and confidence; to interchange sentiments or feelings; to take counsel. [ 1913 Webster ]

I would commune with you of such things
That want no ear but yours. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To receive the communion; to partake of the eucharist or Lord's supper. [ 1913 Webster ]

To commune under both kinds. Bp. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]

To commune with one's self or
To commune with one's heart, to think; to reflect; to meditate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. communicabilité. ] The quality of being communicable; capability of being imparted. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. communicable, LL. communicabilis. ] 1. Capable of being communicated, or imparted; as, a communicable disease; communicable knowledge. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Communicative; free-speaking. [ Obs. ] B. Jonson.

-- Com*mu"ni*ca*ble*ness, n. -- Com*mu"ni*ca"bly, adv. [1913 Webster]