Con`gre*ga"tion (?), n. [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.) 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.
