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society - 6 dictionary results

so⋅ci⋅e⋅ty

  [suh-sahy-i-tee] noun, plural -ties, adjective
Use society in a Sentence
–noun
1. an organized group of persons associated together for religious, benevolent, cultural, scientific, political, patriotic, or other purposes.
2. a body of individuals living as members of a community; community.
3. the body of human beings generally, associated or viewed as members of a community: the evolution of human society.
4. a highly structured system of human organization for large-scale community living that normally furnishes protection, continuity, security, and a national identity for its members: American society.
5. such a system characterized by its dominant economic class or form: middle-class society; industrial society.
6. those with whom one has companionship.
7. companionship; company: to enjoy one's society.
8. the social life of wealthy, prominent, or fashionable persons.
9. the social class that comprises such persons.
10. the condition of those living in companionship with others, or in a community, rather than in isolation.
11. Biology. a closely integrated group of social organisms of the same species exhibiting division of labor.
12. Ecclesiastical. an ecclesiastical society.
–adjective
13. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of elegant society: a society photographer.
Origin:
1525–35; < MF societe < L societās, equiv. to soci(us) partner, comrade + -etās, var. of -itās- -ity

Related forms:
so⋅ci⋅e⋅ty⋅less, adjective

Synonyms:
1. association, fellowship, fraternity, brotherhood, company. See circle. 7. fellowship.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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so·ci·e·ty   (sə-sī'ĭ-tē)   
n.   pl. so·ci·e·ties
    1. The totality of social relationships among humans.
    2. A group of humans broadly distinguished from other groups by mutual interests, participation in characteristic relationships, shared institutions, and a common culture.
    3. The institutions and culture of a distinct self-perpetuating group.
    4. The rich, privileged, and fashionable social class.
    5. The socially dominant members of a community.
  2. An organization or association of persons engaged in a common profession, activity, or interest: a folklore society; a society of bird watchers.
    1. The rich, privileged, and fashionable social class.
    2. The socially dominant members of a community.
  4. Companionship; company: enjoys the society of friends and family members.
  5. Biology A colony or community of organisms, usually of the same species: an insect society.

[French société, from Old French, from Latin societās, fellowship, from socius, companion; see sekw-1 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Society

So*ci"e*ty\, n.; pl. Societies. [L. societas, fr. socius a companion: cf. F. soci['e]t['e]. See Social.]

1. The relationship of men to one another when associated in any way; companionship; fellowship; company. "Her loved society." --Milton.

There is society where none intrudes By the deep sea, and music in its roar. --Byron.

2. Connection; participation; partnership. [R.]

The meanest of the people and such as have the least society with the acts and crimes of kings. --Jer. Taylor.

3. A number of persons associated for any temporary or permanent object; an association for mutual or joint usefulness, pleasure, or profit; a social union; a partnership; as, a missionary society.

4. The persons, collectively considered, who live in any region or at any period; any community of individuals who are united together by a common bond of nearness or intercourse; those who recognize each other as associates, friends, and acquaintances.

5. Specifically, the more cultivated portion of any community in its social relations and influences; those who mutually give receive formal entertainments.

Society of Jesus. See Jesuit.

Society verses [a translation of F. vers de soci['e]t['e]], the lightest kind of lyrical poetry; verses for the amusement of polite society.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : society
Spanish: sociedad,
German: die Gesellschaft,
Japanese: 社会
More Translations »

society 
1531, "friendly association with others," from O.Fr. societe, from L. societatem (nom. societas), from socius "companion" (see social). Meaning "group of people living together in an ordered community" is from 1639. Sense of "fashionable people and their doings" is first recorded 1823.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: so·ci·e·ty
Pronunciation: s&-'sI-&-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ties
1 : the benefits of love, care, affection, and companionship that family members receive from each other society from his wife's wrongful death> —compare CONSORTIUM
2 : a voluntary association of individuals dedicated to common ends society>
3 : a community, nation, or broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, and collective activities and interests —so·ci·e·tal /-sI-&t-&l/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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society

see under mutual admiration society.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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