Commons

n. pl.
  1. The mass of the people, as distinguished from the titled classes or nobility; the commonalty; the common people.
  2. The House of Commons, or lower house of the British Parliament, consisting of representatives elected by the qualified voters of counties, boroughs, and universities.
  3. Provisions; food; fare, -- as that provided at a common table in colleges and universities.
  4. A club or association for boarding at a common table, as in a college, the members sharing the expenses equally; as, to board in commons.
  5. A common; public pasture ground.
    6. Doctors' Commons ,
    a place near St. Paul's Churchyard in London where the doctors of civil law used to common together, and where were the ecclesiastical and admiralty courts and offices having jurisdiction of marriage licenses, divorces, registration of wills, etc.
    To be on short commons ,
    to have a small allowance of food.