Vulgaris

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to a common or ordinary nature that is widely understood or accepted; associated with the general populace, often in contrast to the refined or elite; typically used to describe language or behavior that is coarse or lacking in taste
2. Characterizing something that is prevalent among the masses, as opposed to the sophisticated; denoting expressions that are often regarded as lacking refinement or sophistication; used to describe elements of common culture or custom
3. Pertaining to aspects that are widespread and commonly encountered; indicating expressions or behaviors perceived as crude or unrefined; often used in scientific contexts to refer to species that are commonplace in a certain area

Etymology: "Vulgaris" is the Latin adjective meaning "common" or "of the common people," formed from "vulgus," "the crowd" or "the common people." That noun is the source of English "vulgar," which in Latin carried no insult at all: it simply described what was ordinary, shared by many, or in everyday use. The sense "coarse or tasteless" only developed later in English. The word survives in biology and medicine mainly as the second part of species names. "Vulgaris" is applied to organisms that are widespread and familiar in a given area, so the name signals "the common one" rather than anything about manners. Many European plants and animals carry it: the common toad, "Bufo bufo" in older naming, has relatives such as "Pseudacris" species with "vulgaris" epithets, and the common stinging nettle is "Urtica dioica," but "Ranunculus acris" and others show the pattern. Scientists borrowed the Latin adjective directly, following the classical habit of describing things by their commonness.

Synonyms: common, ordinary, standard