synod
/ˈsɪnəd
/ /ˈsɪnɒd/noun
1An assembly of the clergy and sometimes also the laity in a diocese or other division of a particular Church: the deanery synod...
- In occasional diocesan synods, they harangued their clergy and issued reforming regulations.
- Throughout its history, however, all branches of the Christian church have summoned more local councils, synods, and assemblies, to debate and to rule on matters of current concern.
- And before they vote at church synods on such issues as allowing divorcees to remarry at Anglican altars they must have watched it for six months, he declares.
2A Presbyterian ecclesiastical court above the presbyteries and subject to the General Assembly.
Origin
Late Middle English: via late Latin from Greek sunodos 'meeting', from sun- 'together' + hodos 'way'.