Etymology From Latin congress(um), the past participle of congredior (“to go, come together”), itself from con- + gradior (“to go, step”). The verb is from the noun. Compare typologically coven, convent, convention, omitting several steps, from con- + veniō, Russian сход (sxod), схо́дка (sxódka), akin to сходи́ться (sxodítʹsja), ходи́ть (xodítʹ). Also compare Czech sjezd, Russian съезд (sʺjezd), akin to съезжа́ться (sʺjezžátʹsja), е́здить (jézditʹ). Also compare conference.
1
A formal gathering or assembly of persons; a conference held to discuss or decide on a specific question.
2
Capitalized, Often A legislative body of a state, originally the bicameral legislature of the United States of America.
Republicans have their own high stakes in November. Losing control of Congress, they say, could mean a highly politicized impeachment of their president.2018 January 27, Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Nicholas Fandos, “As Gridlock Deepens in Congress, Only Gloom Is Bipartisan”, in The New York Times:
3
An association, especially one consisting of other associations or representatives of interest groups.
Welsh ponies, I learn from a man who has had much experience with these animals, habitually produce erections and emissions in their stalls; they do not bring their hind quarters up during this process, and they close their eyes, which does not take place when they have congress with mares.1927, Havelock Ellis, Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 1 (of 6):
Not three weeks before this he was run out of Fort Smith Arkansas for having congress with a goat. Yes lady, that is what I said. Goat.1985, Cormac McCarthy, chapter 1, in Blood Meridian […] , →OCLC:
5
Archaic A coming together of two or more people; a meeting.
After some little repast, he went to see Democritus […]. The multitude stood gazing round about to see the congress., New York Review of Books, 2001, p.48
6
Collective A group of baboons; the collective noun for baboons.
[…] the council hall stank like a congress of baboons.1966, Philip José Farmer, “Riverworld”, in Down in the Black Gang and Others, Garden City, NY: Nelson Doubleday, published 1971, page 79:
2013, Dick Hrebik, Walter Goes to War—WWII, Rolling Meadows, IL: Windy City Publishers, Chapter 7, p. 133, Saw a congress of baboons of all sizes making their way to a mountaintop to spend the night on the rocks and trees there.
Etymology From Latin congress(um), the past participle of congredior (“to go, come together”), itself from con- + gradior (“to go, step”). The verb is from the noun. Compare typologically coven, convent, convention, omitting several steps, from con- + veniō, Russian сход (sxod), схо́дка (sxódka), akin to сходи́ться (sxodítʹsja), ходи́ть (xodítʹ). Also compare Czech sjezd, Russian съезд (sʺjezd), akin to съезжа́ться (sʺjezžátʹsja), е́здить (jézditʹ). Also compare conference.
1
To assemble together.
2
To meet in a congress.
Congress
noun
Etymology From congress.
1
US A two-year session of the Congress, commencing after a Federal election and ending before the next one.
Two regular sessions of our federal legislative body are called a Congress, and Congresses have been numbered consecutively since the first one met in 1789. The first two sessions were called the first Congress; […]1946, Emil F. Faith, Richard Gibbs Browne, Our Civic Life and Progress, Mentzer, Bush & Company, page 248: