A commonwealth; a form of government which derives all Its powers dlrectly or indirectly from the general body of citizens, and in which the executive power is lodged in officers chosen by and represent-ing the people, and holding office for a limited period, or at most during good behavior or at the pleasure of the people, and in which the legislative power may be (and in modern republics is) intrusted to a representative assembly. See Federalist, No. 39; Re-public of Mexico v. De Arangoiz, 5 Duer (N. Y.) 636; State v. Harris, 2 Bailey (S. C.) 599
Source: Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)
