conventicle

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   historical: a secret, unauthorized, or legally prohibited meeting for religious worship

   The dissenters gathered for a conventicle in a private house outside the town.

2. 2
   noun

   historical: a meeting place used by a Nonconformist or dissenting religious group

   The magistrate ordered the conventicle closed after repeated complaints.

3. 3
   noun

   disparaging: a small, secretive, or unlawful gathering

   Opponents portrayed the discussion group as a conventicle of agitators.

From Middle English conventicle and Latin conventiculum ('small assembly or meeting place'), a diminutive of conventus ('assembly'), from convenire ('to come together'). Religious restrictions gave the word its frequent sense of an illicit worship meeting.

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