POP'ULAR, adjective [Latin popularis. See People.] 1. Pertaining to the common people; as the popular voice; popular elections. So the popular vote inclines. 2. Suitable to common people; familiar; plain; easy to be comprehended; not critical or abstruse. Homilies are plain and popular instructions. 3. Beloved by the people; enjoying the favor of the people; pleasing to people in general; as a popular governor; a popular preacher; a popular ministry; a popular discourse; a popular administration; a popular war or peace. Suspect the man who endeavors to make that popular which is wrong. 4. Ambitious; studious of the favor of the people. A popular man is in truth no better than a prostitute to common fame and to the people. [This sense is not used. It is more customary to apply this epithet to a person who has already gained the favor of the people.] 5. Prevailing among the people; extensively prevalent; as a popular disease. 6. In law, a popular action is one which gives a penalty to the person that sues for the same. [Note. popular at least in the United States, is not synonymous with vulgar; the latter being applied to the lower classes of people, the illiterate and low bred; the former is applied to all classes, or to the body of the people, including a great portion at least of well educated citizens.]
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI