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Webster 1913 Edition
Congregation
Conˊgre-ga′tion
,Noun.
[L.
congregatio
: cf. F. congrégation
.] 1.
The act of congregating, or bringing together, or of collecting into one aggregate or mass.
The means of reduction in the fire is but by the
congregation
of homogeneal parts. Bacon.
2.
A collection or mass of separate things.
A foul and pestilent
congregation
of vapors. Shakespeare
3.
An assembly of persons; a gathering; esp. an assembly of persons met for the worship of God, and for religious instruction; a body of people who habitually so meet.
He [Bunyan] rode every year to London, and preached there to large and attentive
congregations
. Macaulay.
4.
(Anc. Jewish Hist.)
The whole body of the Jewish people; – called also
Congregation of the Lord
. It is a sin offering for the
congregation
. Lev. iv. 21.
5.
(R. C. Ch.)
(a)
A body of cardinals or other ecclesiastics to whom as intrusted some department of the church business;
as, the
. Congregation of the Propaganda
, which has charge of the missions of the Roman Catholic Church(b)
A company of religious persons forming a subdivision of a monastic order.
6.
The assemblage of Masters and Doctors at Oxford or Cambrige University, mainly for the granting of degrees.
[Eng.]
7.
(Scotch Church Hist.)
the name assumed by the Protestant party under John Knox. The leaders called themselves (1557) Lords of the Congregation.
Webster 1828 Edition
Congregation
CONGREGATION
,Noun.
1.
The act of bringing together, or assembling.2.
A collection or assemblage of separate things; as a congregation of vapors.3.
More generally, an assembly or persons; and appropriately, an assembly of persons met for the worship of God, and for religious instruction.4.
An assembly of rulers. Numbers 35.5.
An assembly of ecclesiastics or cardinals appointed by the pope; as the congregation of the holy office, &c. Also, a company or society of religious cantoned out of an order.6.
An academical assembly for transacting business of the university.Definition 2024
congregation
congregation
See also: congrégation and congrégâtion
English
Noun
congregation (plural congregations)
- The act of congregating or collecting together.
- A gathering of faithful in a temple, church, synagogue, mosque or other place of worship. It can also refer to the people who are present at a devotional service in the building, particularly in contrast to the pastor, minister, imam, rabbi etc. and/or choir, who may be seated apart from the general congregation or lead the service (notably in responsory form).
- A Roman Congregation, a main department of the Vatican administration of the universal church.
- A corporate body whose members gather for worship, or the members of such a body.
- Any large gathering of people.
- A group of eagles.
- (Britain, Oxford University) The main body of university staff, comprising academics, administrative staff, heads of colleges, etc.
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
act of congregating
|
religious gathering of people in a place of worship
|
|
Roman Congregation
|
corporate body
large gathering of people
|
group of eagles