† populacy Obs.
(ˈpɒpjʊləsɪ)
[irreg. formation from populace: see -acy.]
1. The order of the common people; = populace.
| 1613 T. Godwin Rom. Antiq. (1625) 29 The third order, or degree in the Romane Common-wealth was Populus, the populacy, or Commone. 1644 [H. Parker] Jus Pop. 59 Disputes between the optimacy and populacy. 1700 J. A. Astry tr. Saavedra-Faxardo II. 356 In Peace, Nobility is distinguisht from Populacy. 1721 Strype Eccl. Mem. III. App. xx. 59 To obtain the favour of the populacy by feigned pretences of bloud. a 1834 Coleridge Notes & Lect. (1849) I. 305 The only predilection..shows itself in his contempt of mobs and the populacy. |
| fig. 1640 Gauden Love of Truth (1641) 11 The populacy of affections or passions are regular, and subject to the rule, and soveraignety of reason. 1667 Decay Chr. Piety vi. ¶7 Or..let in the whole populacy of sin upon the soul. |
2. = populousness.
| 1613–18 Daniel Coll. Hist. Eng. (1626) 8 The vicinage, and innumerous populacie of that Nation [the Saxons]. 1679 Penn Addr. Prot. ii. vi. 197 Increasing the Trade, Populacy and Wealth of this Kingdom. 1725 Ways Inhab. Delaware to become Rich 2 Means in pursuit whereof we may..become rich..'Tis not Populacy only. |
3. Popular government, or a popular government; also, a state so governed; democracy.
| 1632 H. Seile Augustus 22 They had naturally, and almost insensibly falne from a Monarchy, to a Populacy, or Democracy. 1679 T. Puller Moder. Ch. Eng. (1843) 193 Such democracy and populacy as is held in the Independent and Presbyterian party. |
4. = popularity 4.
rare—1.
| 1687 in Magd. Coll. & Jas. II (O.H.S.) 189 Men, who are led by populacy, which is the Fool's Paradise, but the wise men's scorn. |