See Also: commonplace(dictionary)
commonplace 1, adjective(dictionary)
commonplace 2, noun(dictionary)

commonplace (iou)



commonplace noun, adjective, & verb. M16.
[Orig. two words, translating Latin locus communis translating Greek koinos topos general theme.]
A. noun.
Rhetoric. A passage of general application; a leading text. M-L16.
a. A notable passage or quotation entered in a book for future use. M16.
b. A commonplace-book. M16-M18.
An ordinary topic; an opinion or statement generally accepted; a platitude. M16.
D. H. Lawrence He was nervous.., chattering the conventional commonplaces. John Brooke A commonplace of school history books.
A thesis or discourse on a set theme. M17-E18.
Anything usual or trite; ordinary or trite matter. M18.
S. Richardson Common subjects afford only commonplace.
Ordinariness; lack of distinction. M19.
G. M. Trevelyan Local traditions were yielding to nationwide commonplace.
the commonplace, that which is ordinary and without novelty. M19.
Comb.: commonplace-book a book of commonplaces (sense 2a).
b. adjective. Of the nature of a commonplace; lacking originality, trite. E17.
C. verb.
verb intrans. Utter commonplaces. E17.
verb intrans. Speak in support of a thesis. M17-M18.
verb trans. Extract noteworthy items from (a text); arrange under general headings; enter in a commonplace-book. M17.
commonplaceness noun E19.
commonplacer noun (a) a commonplace-book; (b) a person who keeps a commonplace-book: M17.