Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Commonwealth
Com′mon-wealthˊ
(?; 277)
, Noun.
[
Common
+ wealth
well-being.] 1.
A state; a body politic consisting of a certain number of men, united, by compact or tacit agreement, under one form of government and system of laws.
The trappings of a monarchy would set up an ordinary
commonwealth
. Milton.
☞ This term is applied to governments which are considered as free or popular, but rarely, or improperly, to an absolute government. The word signifies, strictly, the common well-being or happiness; and hence, a form of government in which the general welfare is regarded rather than the welfare of any class.
2.
The whole body of people in a state; the public.
Syn. – State; realm; republic.