What is "common at large"

Large \Large\ (l[aum]rj), a. [Compar. Larger (l[aum]r"j[~e]r); superl. Largest.] [F., fr. L. largus. Cf. Largo.]

1. Exceeding most other things of like kind in bulk, capacity, quantity, superficial dimensions, or number of constituent units; big; great; capacious; extensive; -- opposed to small; as, a large horse; a large house or room; a large lake or pool; a large jug or spoon; a large vineyard; a large army; a large city.

   Note: For linear dimensions, and mere extent, great, and not large, is used as a qualifying word; as, great length, breadth, depth; a great distance; a great height.

2. Abundant; ample; as, a large supply of provisions.

   We have yet large day.
   --Milton.

3. Full in statement; diffuse; full; profuse.

   I might be very large upon the importance and advantages of education.
   --Felton.

4. Having more than usual power or capacity; having broad sympathies and generous impulses; comprehensive; -- said of the mind and heart.

5. Free; unembarrassed. [Obs.]

   Of burdens all he set the Paynims large.
   --Fairfax.

6. Unrestrained by decorum; -- said of language. [Obs.] ``Some large jests he will make.''
   --Shak.

7. Prodigal in expending; lavish. [Obs.]
   --Chaucer.

8. (Naut.) Crossing the line of a ship's course in a favorable direction; -- said of the wind when it is abeam, or between the beam and the quarter. At large.

   1. Without restraint or confinement; as, to go at large; to be left at large.

   2. Diffusely; fully; in the full extent; as, to discourse on a subject at large.

      Common at large. See under Common, n.

      Electors at large, Representative at large, electors, or a representative, as in Congress, chosen to represent the whole of a State, in distinction from those chosen to represent particular districts in a State. [U. S.]

      To give large, To go large, To run large, or To sail large (Naut.), to have the wind crossing the direction of a vessel's course in such a way that the sails feel its full force, and the vessel gains its highest speed. See Large, a., 8.

      Syn: Big; bulky; huge; capacious; comprehensive; ample; abundant; plentiful; populous; copious; diffusive; liberal.

Common \Com"mon\, n.

1. The people; the community. [Obs.] ``The weal o' the common.''
   --Shak.

2. An inclosed or uninclosed tract of ground for pleasure, for pasturage, etc., the use of which belongs to the public; or to a number of persons.

3. (Law) The right of taking a profit in the land of another, in common either with the owner or with other persons; -- so called from the community of interest which arises between the claimant of the right and the owner of the soil, or between the claimants and other commoners entitled to the same right.

   Common appendant, a right belonging to the owners or occupiers of arable land to put commonable beasts upon the waste land in the manor where they dwell.

   Common appurtenant, a similar right applying to lands in other manors, or extending to other beasts, besides those which are generally commonable, as hogs.

   Common because of vicinage or Common because of neighborhood, the right of the inhabitants of each of two townships, lying contiguous to each other, which have usually intercommoned with one another, to let their beasts stray into the other's fields. -

   Common in gross or Common at large, a common annexed to a man's person, being granted to him and his heirs by deed; or it may be claimed by prescriptive right, as by a parson of a church or other corporation sole.
   --Blackstone.

   Common of estovers, the right of taking wood from another's estate.

   Common of pasture, the right of feeding beasts on the land of another.
   --Burill.

   Common of piscary, the right of fishing in waters belonging to another.

   Common of turbary, the right of digging turf upon the ground of another.