uniting or joining of things together; or the things themselves so united or joined. It is also used, in a more general sense, for a collection of various things so disposed and diversified, that the whole produces some agreeable effect.

meeting of several persons, in the same place, upon the same design.

the beau-monde, an appointed meeting of fashionable persons of both sexes, for the sake of play, dancing, gallantry, conversation, &c.

the military art, the second beating of a drum before a march; at which the soldiers strike their tents, roll them up, and stand to arms.

Assemblies of the clergy are called convocations, synods, councils. The annual meeting of the church of Scotland is called a General Assembly: In this assembly his Majesty is represented by his Commissioner, who dissolves one meeting, and calls another, in the name of the King, while the Moderator does the same in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Assemblies of the Roman people were called co-militia.

Under the Gothic governments, the supreme legislative power was lodged in an assembly of the states of the kingdom held annually for the like purposes as assemblies in our parliament. Some remains of this usage subsisted in the annual assemblies of the states of some provinces of France previous to the late revolution; but these were no more than shadows of the ancient assemblies. It is only in Great Britain, and perhaps in Sweden, that such assemblies retain their ancient powers and privileges.