01 a. Of or pertaining to the mass, or multitude, of people; common; general; ordinary; public; hence, in general use; vernacular.
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1.
Of or pertaining to the mass, or multitude, of people; common; general; ordinary; public; hence, in general use; vernacular.“Things vulgar, and well-weighed, scarce worth the praise.” — Milton.“It might be more useful to the English reader . . . to write in our vulgar language.” — Bp. Fell.“The mechanical process of multiplying books had brought the New Testament in the vulgar tongue within the reach of every class.” — Bancroft.
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2.
Belonging or relating to the common people, as distinguished from the cultivated or educated; pertaining to common life; plebeian; not select or distinguished; hence, sometimes, of little or no value.“Men who have passed all their time in low and vulgar life.” — Addison.“In reading an account of a battle, we follow the hero with our whole attention, but seldom reflect on the vulgar heaps of slaughter.” — Rambler.
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3.
Hence, lacking cultivation or refinement; rustic; boorish; also, offensive to good taste or refined feelings; low; coarse; mean; base; as, vulgar men, minds, language, or manners.“Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.” — Shak.
Phrases & compounds
Vulgar fraction —
See under Fraction.