in the British polity, one of the general divisions of the LAITY, comprehending all orders of men from the highest nobleman to the meanest peasant that are not included under the MILITARY or MARITIME STATES: though it may sometimes include individuals of these as well as of the CLERGY; since a nobleman, a knight, a gentleman, or a peasant, may become either a divine, a soldier, or a seaman. The division of this state is into NOBILITY and COMMONALTY. See these articles.