from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Communion \Com*mun"ion\, n. [L. communio: cf. F. communion. See
{Common}.]
1. The act of sharing; community; participation. "This
communion of goods." --Blackstone.
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2. Intercourse between two or more persons; esp., intimate
association and intercourse implying sympathy and
confidence; interchange of thoughts, purposes, etc.;
agreement; fellowship; as, the communion of saints.
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We are naturally induced to seek communion and
fellowship with others. --Hooker.
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What communion hath light with darkness? --2 Cor.
vi. 14.
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Bare communion with a good church can never alone
make a good man. --South.
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3. A body of Christians having one common faith and
discipline; as, the Presbyterian communion.
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4. The sacrament of the eucharist; the celebration of the
Lord's supper; the act of partaking of the sacrament; as,
to go to communion; to partake of the communion; called
also {Holy Communion}.
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{Close communion}. See under {Close}, a.
{Communion elements}, the bread and wine used in the
celebration of the Lord's supper.
{Communion service}, the celebration of the Lord's supper, or
the office or service therefor.
{Communion table}, the table upon which the elements are
placed at the celebration of the Lord's supper.
{Communion in both kinds}, participation in both the bread
and wine by all communicants.
{Communion in one kind}, participation in but one element, as
in the Roman Catholic Church, where the laity partake of
the bread only.
Syn: Share; participation; fellowship; converse; intercourse;
unity; concord; agreement.
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