sodality

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

sodality
    n 1: people engaged in a particular occupation; "the medical
         fraternity" [syn: {brotherhood}, {fraternity}, {sodality}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Sodality \So*dal"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Sodalities}. [L. sodalitas, fr.
   sodalis a comrade.]
   1. A fellowship or fraternity; a brotherhood.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (R. C. Ch.) Specifically, a lay association for devotion
      or for charitable purposes.
      [1913 Webster]