congress English · revision 2705

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1400|origins=la gradior}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈkɒŋ.ɡres/, US /ˈkɑːŋ.ɡrəs/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|congressus|t=a coming together, meeting; an encounter]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from the past participle of [[m|la|congredī|t=to meet with; to fight with]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|la|con-|t=together]] and [[m|la|gradī|t=to step, walk]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[m|la|gradus|t=a step]],^(Etymonline) the source of [[grade]].^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A body of attendants: before 1400 (congrece).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) A meeting of armed forces, a hostile encounter, is from before 1460.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The general sense “a coming together of people, a meeting” is from 1528,^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) and sexual union from 1589 in the OED, the 1580s in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) These broad uses survive in ''social congress'' and ''sexual congress''.^(Cresswell 2021) A formal meeting of delegates to discuss and settle a question is from 1678.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) A lawmaking body is from 1765,^(Barnhart 1988) and the Congress of the United States from 1775, in the letters of Samuel Adams;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) the Continental Congress of the American colonies first met in 1774.^(Etymonline) An organization that meets from time to time, such as a trade union congress, is from 1870.^(OED 1989) Johnson (1755) defined it as “a meeting; a shock; a conflict”.^(Johnson 1755) ''Congressional'' is from 1691.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1400 – a body of attendants.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1460 – a meeting of armed forces.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1528 – a coming together, a meeting.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1589 – sexual union.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1678 – a formal assembly of delegates.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1765 – a lawmaking body.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1775 – the US Congress.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A formal [[assembly]] of [[delegate|alt=delegates]] or representatives to discuss common problems.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The national [[legislature]] of a country, especially a [[republic]], and in particular that of the United States, made up of the [[Senate]] and the House of Representatives.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An association of societies or groups, especially in politics.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(formal)'' A coming together; sexual intercourse.^(MW Collegiate)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[congressional]]

+ * [[congressionally]]

+ * [[congressperson]]

+ * [[congresswoman]]

+ * [[congressman]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[grade]]

+ * [[congregate]]

+ * [[progress]]

+ * [[egress]]

+ * [[ingress]]

+ * [[regress]]

+ * [[transgress]]

+ * [[degree]]

+ * [[gradual]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}