ecclesia

American  

[ih-klee-zhee-uh, -zee-uh] / ɪˈkli ʒi ə, -zi ə /

noun

plural

ecclesiae

1. an assembly, especially the popular assembly of ancient Athens.

2. a congregation; church.

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ecclesia British  

/ ɪˈkliːzɪə /

noun

1. (in formal Church usage) a congregation

2. the assembly of citizens of an ancient Greek state

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Etymology

Origin of ecclesia

1570–80; < Latin < Greek ekklēsía assembly, equivalent to ékklēt ( os ) summoned ( ek- ec- + klē-, variant of kal-, stem of kaleîn to call, + -tos past participle suffix) + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

As being the one important church, it was also known as ecclesia major.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5 "Cat" to "Celt" by Various

All Athenian citizens could attend the public assembly or ecclesia.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 8 "Chariot" to "Chatelaine" by Various

Each local ecclesia, or assembly of saints, will have its stated officers, its regulated and seemly order in worship and in work.

From The Expositor's Bible: Ephesians by Findlay, G. G.

He also drew up a list of the epitaphs in Westminster Abbey, which was issued as Reges, Reginae, Nobiles et alii in ecclesia collegiata Beati Petri Westmonasterii sepulti.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 1 "Calhoun" to "Camoens" by Various

Paucis ante evolutis annis, post mortem omnium suorum filiorum, videlicet, quando dedicata est ecclesia Novi Templi, inventum est corpus sæpedicti comitis quod erat insutum corio taurino, integrum, putridum tamen et prout videri potuit detestabile.”—Matt.

From The History of the Knights Templars, the Temple Church, and the Temple by Addison, Charles G.