Cŏn’gress, n.

(kŏng’gres, 82), n. [Lat. congressus, from congredi, congressus, to go or come together, from con and gradi, to go or step, gradus, step; It. congresso, Fr. congrès.] 1. A meeting of individuals, whether friendly or hostile; an encounter. [Obs.] Here Pallas urges and Lausus there; Their congress in the field great Jove withstands. Dryden. 2. A sudden encounter; a collision; a shock;—said of things. [Obs.] From these laws may be deduced the rules of the congresses and reflections of two bodies. Cheyne.

3. The meeting of the sexes in sexual commerce.
4. A formal assembly, as of deputies, representatives, envoys, or commissioners; particularly a meeting of the representatives of several courts to concert measures of common interest.

The European powers strove to . . . accommodate their differences at the congress of Vienna. Alison. 5. The assembly of senators and representatives of the people of a nation, especially of a republic, for the purpose of enacting laws, and considering matters of national interest, and constituting the chief legislative body of the nation. In the Congress of the United States members of the Senate are elected for six years, but the members of the House of Representatives are chosen for two years only. Hence the united body of senators and representatives for the two years during which the representatives hold their seats, is called one Congress. Thus we say the first or second session of the Sixteenth Congress. Syn.—Assembly; meeting; convention; convocation; synod; council; diet.