Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Society
So-ci′e-ty
,Noun.
pl.
Societies
(#)
. 1.
The relationship of men to one another when associated in any way; companionship; fellowship; company.
“Her loved society.” Milton.
There is
By the deep sea, and music in its roar.
society
where none intrudesBy the deep sea, and music in its roar.
Byron.
2.
Connection; participation; partnership.
[R.]
The meanest of the people and such as have the least
society
with the acts and crimes of kings. Jer. Taylor.
3.
A number of persons associated for any temporary or permanent object; an association for mutual or joint usefulness, pleasure, or profit; a social union; a partnership;
as, a missionary
. society
4.
The persons, collectively considered, who live in any region or at any period; any community of individuals who are united together by a common bond of nearness or intercourse; those who recognize each other as associates, friends, and acquaintances.
5.
Specifically, the more cultivated portion of any community in its social relations and influences; those who mutually give receive formal entertainments.
Society of Jesus
. See
– Jesuit
. Society verses
[a translation of F.
, vers de société
]the lightest kind of lyrical poetry; verses for the amusement of polite society.
Webster 1828 Edition
Society
SOCI'ETY
,Noun.
1.
The union of a number of rational beings; or a number of persons united, either for a temporary or permanent purpose. Thus the inhabitants of a state or of a city constitute a society, having common interests; and hence it is called a community. In a more enlarged sense, the whole race or family of man is a society, and called human society. The true and natural foundation of society, are the wants and fears of individuals.2.
Any number of persons associated for a particular purpose, whether incorporated by law, or only united by articles of agreement; a fraternity. Thus we have bible societies for various objects; societies for mechanics, and leaned societies; societies for encouraging arts, &c.3.
Company; a temporary association of persons for profit or pleasure. In this sense, company is more generally used.4.
Conpany; fellowship. We frequent the society of those we love and esteem.5.
Partnership; fellowship; union on equal terms. Among unequals what society can sort? Heav'n's greatness no society can bear.6.
Persons living in the same neighborhood, who frequently meet in company and have fellowship. Literary society renders a place interesting and agreeable.7.
In Connecticut, a number of families united and incorporated for the purpose of supporting public worship, is called an exxlesiastical society. This is a parish, except that it has not territorial limits. In Massachusetts, such as incorporated society is usually called a parish, though consisting of persons only, without regard to territory.Definition 2024
society
society
English
Noun
society (countable and uncountable, plural societies)
- (countable) A long-standing group of people sharing cultural aspects such as language, dress, norms of behavior and artistic forms.
- This society has been known for centuries for its colorful clothing and tight-knit family structure.
- 2012 March-April, John T. Jost, “Social Justice: Is It in Our Nature (and Our Future)?”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 162:
- He draws eclectically on studies of baboons, descriptive anthropological accounts of hunter-gatherer societies and, in a few cases, the fossil record.
- (countable) A group of people who meet from time to time to engage in a common interest; an association or organization.
- It was then that they decided to found a society of didgeridoo-playing unicyclists.
- 1893, Walter Besant, The Ivory Gate, chapter III:
- At half-past nine on this Saturday evening, the parlour of the Salutation Inn, High Holborn, contained most of its customary visitors. […] In former days every tavern of repute kept such a room for its own select circle, a club, or society, of habitués, who met every evening, for a pipe and a cheerful glass.
- (countable) The sum total of all voluntary interrelations between individuals.
- The gap between Western and Eastern societies seems to be narrowing.
- 2013 August 10, Schumpeter, “Cronies and capitols”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8848:
- Policing the relationship between government and business in a free society is difficult. Businesspeople have every right to lobby governments, and civil servants to take jobs in the private sector.
- (uncountable) The people of one’s country or community taken as a whole.
- Our global society develops in fits and starts.
- 2006, Edwin Black, chapter 1, in Internal Combustion:
- If successful, Edison and Ford—in 1914—would move society away from the ever more expensive and then universally known killing hazards of gasoline cars: […].
- 2012 January 1, Steven Sloman, “The Battle Between Intuition and Deliberation”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 1, page 74:
- Libertarian paternalism is the view that, because the way options are presented to citizens affects what they choose, society should present options in a way that “nudges” our intuitive selves to make choices that are more consistent with what our more deliberative selves would have chosen if they were in control.
- (uncountable) High society.
- Smith was first introduced into society at the Duchess of Grand Fenwick's annual rose garden party.
- 1813, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice:
- "What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy! There is nothing like dancing after all. I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished society."
- (countable, law) A number of people joined by mutual consent to deliberate, determine and act toward a common goal.
Derived terms
Terms derived from society
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Translations
group of people sharing culture
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group of persons who meet from time to time to engage in a common interest
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people of one’s country or community as a whole
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high society — see high society