congress

n. /kong"gris/; v. /keuhn gres", keuhng-/, n.

1. (cap.)

a. the national legislative body of the U.S., consisting of the Senate, or upper house, and the House of Representatives, or lower house, as a continuous institution.

b. this body as it exists for a period of two years during which it has the same membership: the 96th Congress.

c. a session of this body: to speak in Congress.

2. the national legislative body of a nation, esp. of a republic.

3. a formal meeting or assembly of representatives for the discussion, arrangement, or promotion of some matter of common interest.

4. the act of coming together; an encounter; meeting.

5. an association, esp. one composed of representatives of various organizations.

6. familiar relations; dealings; intercourse.

7. coitus; sexual intercourse.

v.i.

8. to assemble together; meet in congress.

[1350-1400 for earlier sense "body of attendants, following"; 1520-30 for current senses; ME < L congressus assembly, intercourse, meeting, equiv. to congred(i) to approach, meet (con- CON- + -gredi, comb. form of gradi to step; cf. GRADE) + -tus suffix of v. action]

Syn. 3. conference, council, convention.

* * *

(as used in expressions)

African National Congress

Aix la Chapelle Congress of

Albany Congress

Berlin Congress of

Canadian Labor Congress

Congress of the United States

Continental Congress

Indian National Congress

Congress Party

Laibach Congress of

Library of Congress

Library of Congress Classification

Paris Congress of

Trades Union Congress

Troppau Congress of

Verona Congress of

Vienna Congress of

American Federation of Labor Congress of Industrial Organizations

Twentieth Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union

* * *