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Synod - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Synod : (noun)
1: a council convened to discuss ecclesiastical business
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Synod : \Syn"od\ (s[i^]n"[u^]d), n. [L. synodus, Gr. sy`nodos a
meeting; sy`n with _ "odo`s a way; cf. AS. sino[eth],
seno[eth], 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.
Based on WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003)
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