from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Publication \Pub`li*ca"tion\, n. [L. publicatio confiscation:
cf. F. publication. See {Publish}.]
1. The act of publishing or making known; notification to the
people at large, either by words, writing, or printing;
proclamation; divulgation; promulgation; as, the
publication of the law at Mount Sinai; the publication of
the gospel; the publication of statutes or edicts.
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2. The act of offering a book, pamphlet, engraving, etc., to
the public by sale or by gratuitous distribution.
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The publication of these papers was not owing to our
folly, but that of others. --Swift.
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3. That which is published or made known; especially, any
book, pamphlet, etc., offered for sale or to public
notice; as, a daily or monthly publication.
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4. An act done in public. [R. & Obs.]
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His jealousy . . . attends the business, the
recreations, the publications, and retirements of
every man. --Jer. Taylor.
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{Publication of a libel} (Law), such an exhibition of a libel
as brings it to the notice of at least one person other
than the person libeled.
{Publication of a will} (Law), the delivery of a will, as his
own, by a testator to witnesses who attest it.
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