Consociation

Noun

1. Associating, or coming together in a union; an instance of this.
2. Intimate companionship or fellowship; an instance of this.
3. A confederation of Christian churches or organizations. A voluntary, permanent council made up of representatives of neighbouring Congregational churches for mutual advice and co-operation in ecclesiastical matters; also, a meeting of pastors and delegates from churches thus united.

   "In Connecticut some of the Congregational churches are associated in consociations and the others in associations."

4. A voluntary, permanent council made up of representatives of neighbouring Congregational churches for mutual advice and co-operation in ecclesiastical matters; also, a meeting of pastors and delegates from churches thus united.

   "In Connecticut some of the Congregational churches are associated in consociations and the others in associations."

5. A subdivision of an association, made up chiefly of organisms of a single species.