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commons (n.)

mid-14c., "the people collectively," especially "the common people as distinguished from the rulers and nobility and the clergy; the freemen of England as represented in Parliament" (late 14c.), from common (n.). Meaning "the lower house of Parliament, consisting of commoners chosen by the people as their representatives" is from early 15c. House of Commons is from 1620s. Meaning "provisions for a community or company" is from mid-14c.

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Definitions of commons from WordNet
1
commons (n.)
a pasture subject to common use;
Synonyms: common land
commons (n.)
a class composed of persons lacking clerical or noble rank;
Synonyms: commonalty / commonality
commons (n.)
a piece of open land for recreational use in an urban area;
Synonyms: park / common / green
2
Commons (n.)
the common people;
Synonyms: third estate
From wordnet.princeton.edu