Congregation

n. [ L. congregatio: cf. F. congrégation. ] 1. The act of congregating, or bringing together, or of collecting into one aggregate or mass. [ 1913 Webster ]

The means of reduction in the fire is but by the congregation of homogeneal parts. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A collection or mass of separate things. [ 1913 Webster ]

A foul and pestilent congregation of vapors. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

He [ Bunyan ] rode every year to London, and preached there to large and attentive congregations. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Anc. Jewish Hist.) The whole body of the Jewish people; -- called also Congregation of the Lord. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is a sin offering for the congregation. Lev. iv. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. The assemblage of Masters and Doctors at Oxford or Cambrige University, mainly for the granting of degrees. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Scotch Church Hist.) the name assumed by the Protestant party under John Knox. The leaders called themselves (1557) Lords of the Congregation. [ 1913 Webster ]