Congregation, n.
Etymology: [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. Shak.
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.)
5 more senses
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 departament 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.