consociations

Noun

consociation (countable and uncountable, plural consociations)

1. (uncountable) Associating, or coming together in a union; (countable) an instance of this.
   • The ſum is this; after the greateſt conſociation of religious duties for preparation, no Man can be ſufficiently vvorthy to communicate, let us take care, that vve be not unvvorthy by bringing a guilt vvith us, or the remanent affection to a ſin.1649, Jer[emy] Taylor, “Discourse XVIII. Vpon the Institution and Reception of the Holy Sacrament of the LORDS Supper.”, in The Great Exemplar of Sanctity and Holy Life According to the Christian...
2. (uncountable) Intimate companionship or fellowship; (countable) an instance of this.
   • She [the spirit of wisdom] glorifieth her nobilitie, hauing conſociation with God: yea and the Lord of al hath loued her.1610, The Second Tome of the Holie Bible, […] (Douay–Rheims Bible), Doway: Laurence Kellam, […], →OCLC, Wisdom 8:3, page 354
3. (countable) A confederation of Christian churches or organizations.
   1. (US, specifically, Congregationalism) A voluntary, permanent council made up of representatives of neighbouring Congregational churches for mutual advice and co-operation in ecclesiastical matters; also, a meeting of pastors and delegates from churches thus united.
      • In Connecticut some of the Congregational churches are associated in consociations and the others in associations.
4. (countable) A subdivision of an association, made up chiefly of organisms of a single species.
5. (countable) A power-sharing arrangement over territory entered into by competing groups.

See all 7 meanings of consociation