commons

noun8

1. •
   A public area, especially a dining hall, at a college or university; a similar shared space elsewhere.
2. •
   (figurative) The mutual good of all; the abstract concept of resources shared by more than one, for example air, water, information.

   • "The tragedy of the commons" is that none wish to make sacrifices of their or their family's interests for the common good.
3. •
   A common (common land); especially, a central section of (usually an older) town, designated as a shared area.

   • The Renaissance festival started with the "peasants" meeting in the commons.
   • The commons is the green space surrounded by the village hall, the school, and the church.
4. •
   The common people collectively, the third estate, the people not belonging to the nobility or clergy.

   • We in the name of other Persean states [i.e. nobles], And commons of this mightie Monarchy, Present thee with the Emperiall Diadem. — 1587
5. •
   (historical) The free burghers/bourgeoisie of a given town, taken collectively.
6. •
   Food in general; rations.

   • short commons
7. •
   (UK, no longer used) Food served at a fixed rate from the college buttery, distinguished from battels.

   • At the same time, the fashion at Oxford of confining lunch to a "commons" of bread and butter and a glass of beer till the crew reaches Putney (when a little meat is allowed,) is unreasonable. — 1875
8. •
   (euphemistic, no longer used) An outhouse.