| air one's dirty linen in public |
to make public embarrassing or shameful private facts about oneself or others. |
| certified public accountant |
an accountant who has received an official state certificate for having fulfilled the legal requirements of that state. |
| in public |
where other people are present, especially in large numbers. |
| notary public |
an official with legal authority to witness and certify documents and contracts, take affidavits and depositions, and the like. |
| public debt |
the total amount of money owed to creditors by a local, state, or national government. |
| public defender |
an attorney who, at public expense, defends persons accused of crimes who are themselves unable to pay. |
| public domain |
land owned by the government, such as a state or national park or preserve. [2 definitions] |
| public enemy |
a criminal or other person considered a menace to society. |
| public house |
an inn or tavern; pub. |
| public law |
a law or statute that applies to the general public. [2 definitions] |
| public opinion |
the collective or general opinion of a people, esp. as a deciding factor in the creation of social policy or in actions of a political nature. |
| public prosecutor |
(chiefly British) a laywer who is appointed by the government to prosecute criminal cases on the government's behalf; district attorney. |
| public relations |
the organized efforts of a corporation, organization, institution, or the like to establish a favorable image or favorable relations with the general public. [2 definitions] |
| public school |
in the US, an elementary, middle, or high school that is free and supported by people's taxes. [2 definitions] |
| public servant |
a government official, elected or appointed, or an employee of the civil service. |
| public utility |
an organization operated usu. as a monopoly under government regulation or control, that provides an essential public commodity or service, such as electricity, water, transportation, and the like. |
| public works |
buildings, pipelines, highways, and the like that are built and maintained at public expense for public use or benefit. |
| public-address system |
a system of electronic amplifiers used to make sounds easily heard by a large audience, as in a theater or auditorium, or outdoors. |
| public-service corporation |
a private corporation that provides a utility or other service to the public and is regulated by the government. |
| public-spirited |
having or showing great interest in the welfare of the general public. |