commons \com"mons\, n. pl.,
   1. the mass of the people, as distinguished from the titled
      classes or nobility; the commonalty; the common people.
      eng.
      1913 webster

            't is like the commons, rude unpolished hinds,
            could send such message to their sovereign. --shak.
      1913 webster

            the word commons in its present ordinary
            signification comprises all the people who are under
            the rank of peers.                    --blackstone.
      1913 webster

   2. the house of commons, or lower house of the british
      parliament, consisting of representatives elected by the
      qualified voters of counties, boroughs, and universities.
      1913 webster

            it is agreed that the commons were no part of the
            great council till some ages after the conquest.
                                                  --hume.
      1913 webster

   3. provisions; food; fare, -- as that provided at a common
      table in colleges and universities.
      1913 webster

            their commons, though but coarse, were nothing
            scant.                                --dryden.
      1913 webster

   4. a club or association for boarding at a common table, as
      in a college, the members sharing the expenses equally;
      as, to board in commons.
      1913 webster

   5. a common; public pasture ground.
      1913 webster

            to shake his ears, and graze in commons. --shak.
      1913 webster

   doctors' commons, a place near st. paul's churchyard in
      london where the doctors of civil law used to common
      together, and where were the ecclesiastical and admiralty
      courts and offices having jurisdiction of marriage
      licenses, divorces, registration of wills, etc.

   to be on short commons, to have a small allowance of food.
      colloq.
      1913 webster common sense
see also:
doctors' commons to be on short commons