(Lat. conventiculum, dim. of conven- tus), properly denotes a cabal or secret assembly of a part of the monks of a convent, to form a brigade or party in the election of an abbot. From the abuse of these assemblies, the word has come into disrepute; and now stands Convention for any mischievous, seditious, or irregular assembly. The term conventicle is said to have been first used in a contemptuous sense for the meetings of the followers of Wic- liffe; and it has since been applied in England to the religious assemblies of petty sects, and of dissenters in general from the established church.