Sessions of the peace

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Session \Ses"sion\, n. [L. sessio, fr. sedere, sessum, to sit:
   cf. F. session. See {Sit}.]
   1. The act of sitting, or the state of being seated.
      [Archaic]
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            So much his ascension into heaven and his session at
            the right hand of God do import.      --Hooker.
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            But Viven, gathering somewhat of his mood, . . .
            Leaped from her session on his lap, and stood.
                                                  --Tennyson.
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   2. The actual sitting of a court, council, legislature, etc.,
      or the actual assembly of the members of such a body, for
      the transaction of business.
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            It's fit this royal session do proceed. --Shak.
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   3. Hence, also, the time, period, or term during which a
      court, council, legislature, etc., meets daily for
      business; or, the space of time between the first meeting
      and the prorogation or adjournment; thus, a session of
      Parliaments is opened with a speech from the throne, and
      closed by prorogation. The session of a judicial court is
      called a term.
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            It was resolved that the convocation should meet at
            the beginning of the next session of Parliament.
                                                  --Macaulay.
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   Note: Sessions, in some of the States, is particularly used
         as a title for a court of justices, held for granting
         licenses to innkeepers, etc., and for laying out
         highways, and the like; it is also the title of several
         courts of criminal jurisdiction in England and the
         United States.
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   {Church session}, the lowest court in the Presbyterian
      Church, composed of the pastor and a body of elders
      elected by the members of a particular church, and having
      the care of matters pertaining to the religious interests
      of that church, as the admission and dismission of
      members, discipline, etc.

   {Court of Session}, the supreme civil court of Scotland.

   {Quarter sessions}. (Eng.Law) See under {Quarter}.

   {Sessions of the peace}, sittings held by justices of the
      peace. [Eng.]
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