commu-, comm-

An area of grassy land that is open for everyone to use, usually near the center of a town or a city: "The cattle grazed on the common and were watched over by an old man and his grandson."

1. Shared mutually by more than one person: "The two friends discovered they shared many common interests including silent films."
2. Happening often, regularly, or frequently in a normal way: "Snow this time of year is a very common experience to be enjoyed by all in many areas of the world."
3. Simple and ordinary: "James and Jane had a common breakfast of cereal and toast."

1. Ordinary or something that is dull and unchallenging; tired and clichéd: Things that are common place can be found just about every where!

Issues that are common place include things and behavior which are ordinary; for example, a job that is a boring or a mind-numbing task is common place.

A word or saying that is common place is a cliché which means that it has become meaningless and annoying. 2. Etymology: from Latin locus communis, "general topic".

1. Sound and practical judgment that is separate from specialized knowledge, training, etc.: Mike had common sense when he worked as a carpenter.
2. Practical judgment derived from experience rather than just from study alone: Marie used common sense when she went hiking during the summer by always carrying a bottle of water with her.

Sharing similar attributes or resemblances: "The commonalities between the two political parties were difficult to overlook."

An ordinary person who is not of noble birth: "The king appointed Tom Jones as a commoner to represent the peasants in his area."

A reference to that which is normal or unremarkable: "Joe commonly walked to work unless it was raining."

Owned or used collectively by a group or an organization: "The car was the communal property of the three brothers who all lived together."

Belief in mutual ownership of property as opposed to individual ownership: "The colony was established along the lines of communalism, building strong bonds among the members of the colony."

An individual who practices or identifies strongly with a particular ethnic or cultural identity or community, often to the exclusion of others: "The noted communalist, Thomas Jacobs, established a small rural community whose governing principles were based on his personal beliefs and others were not welcomed."

Descriptive of an individual who is more committed to particular beliefs or practices to the exclusion of others: "The communalistic practices of the town residents included joint ownership of the orchards and other farmland."

That which is shared or owned collectively: "The communality of farming property was a basic tenant of the local farmers."

The process by which joint ownership of property and resources is developed: "In his old age, Thomas Jacobs wrote a thesis on the communalization of the first farms and farmers with which he worked."

A reference to ownership that was shared with others and not by individuals: "All the farm equipment was held communally to be used and maintained by everyone in that group of farmers."

Typically small, often rural gatherings of people committed to the principles of joint ownership and responsibility: "Mike's nephew worked on a farm commune during the summer to gain experience."