English Dictionary: synod | by the DICT Development Group |
2 results for synod | |
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
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From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Synod \Syn"od\ (s[icr]n"[ucr]d), n. [L. synodus, Gr. sy`nodos a meeting; sy`n with + "odo`s a way; cf. AS. sino[edh], seno[edh], F. synode, both from the Latin.] 1. (Eccl. Hist.) An ecclesiastic council or meeting to consult on church matters. Note: Synods are of four kinds: 1. General, or ecumenical, which are composed of bishops from different nations; -- commonly called general council. 2. National, composed of bishops of one nation only. 3. Provincial, in which the bishops of only one province meet; -- called also convocations. 4. Diocesan, a synod in which the bishop of the diocese or his representative presides. Among Presbyterians, a synod is composed of several adjoining presbyteries. The members are the ministers and a ruling elder from each parish. 2. An assembly or council having civil authority; a legislative body. It hath in solemn synods been decreed, Both by the Syracusians and ourselves, To admit no traffic to our adverse towns. --Shak. Parent of gods and men, propitious Jove! And you, bright synod of the powers above. --Dryden. 3. (Astron.) A conjunction of two or more of the heavenly bodies. [R.] --Milton. |