publicity

noun

Etymology: From French publicité, From Medieval Latin pūblicitātem, accusative singular of pūblicitās, from Latin pūblicus (“public, general”). Morphologically public + -ity.

1. Advertising or other activity designed to rouse public interest in something.

   “A gay man accused of disorderly conduct for posting publicity for a Boston gay event was found not guilty in Cambridge District Court on July 22.”

2. Public interest attracted in this way.

   “Any publicity, runs the axiom, is good publicity.”

3. The condition of being the object of public attention.
4. The quality of being public, not private.

   “Amelia's gentle eyes, too, had been fixed anxiously on the pair, whose conduct had so chafed the jealous General; but when Rebecca entered her box, she flew to her friend with an affectionate rapture which showed itself, in spite of the publicity of the place; for she embraced her dearest friend in the presence of the whole house, at least in full view of the General's glass, now brought to bear upon the Osborne party.”