/i klee"zhee euh, -zee euh/ , n. , pl. ecclesiae /-zhee ee', -zee ee'/ .
1. an assembly, esp. the popular assembly of ancient Athens.
2. a congregation; church.
[ 1570-80; ekklesía assembly, equiv. to ékklet ( os ) summoned ( ek- EC- + kle-, var. of kal-, s. of kaleîn to call, + -tos ptp. suffix) + -ia -IA ]