n. [ F., fr. commun. See Common. ] 1. The commonalty; the common people. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] In this struggle -- to use the technical words of the time -- of the “commune”, the general mass of the inhabitants, against the “prudhommes” or “wiser” few. J. R. Green. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A small territorial district in France under the government of a mayor and municipal council; also, the inhabitants, or the government, of such a district. See Arrondissement. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Absolute municipal self-government. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. a group of people living together as an organized community and owning in common most or all of their property and possessions, and sharing work, income, and many other aspects of daily life. Such sommunities are oftten organized based on religious or idealistic principles, and they sometimes have unconventional lifestyles, practises, or moral codes. [ PJC ]
The Commune of Paris, or
The Commune (a) The government established in Paris (1792-94) by a usurpation of supreme power on the part of representatives chosen by the communes; the period of its continuance is known as the “Reign of Terror.” (b) The revolutionary government, modeled on the commune of 1792, which the communists, so called, attempted to establish in 1871. [ 1913 Webster ]
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