SOCIETY


Meaning of SOCIETY in English

n. (pl. -ies)

1. the sum of human conditions and activity regarded as a whole functioning interdependently.

2 a social community (all societies must have firm laws).

3 a a social mode of life. b the customs and organization of an ordered community.

4 Ecol. a plant community.

5 a the socially advantaged or prominent members of a community (society would not approve). b this, or a part of it, qualified in some way (is not done in polite society).

6 participation in hospitality; other people's homes or company (avoids society).

7 companionship, company (avoids the society of such people).

8 an association of persons united by a common aim or interest or principle (formed a music society).

Phrases and idioms:

Society of Friends see QUAKER. Society of Jesus see JESUIT.

Derivatives:

societal adj. (esp. in sense 1). societally adv.

Etymology: F soci{eacute}t{eacute} f. L societas -tatis f. socius companion

Oxford English vocab.      Оксфордский английский словарь.