Definition of Assembly

The concourse or meeting together of a considerable number of persons at the same place. Also the persons so gathered. Popular assemblies are those where the people meet to deliberate upon their rights ; these are guaranteed by the constitution. Const. U. S. Amend, art 1. The lower or more numerous branch of the legislature in many of the states is also called the "Assembly" or "House of Assembly," but the term seems to be an appropriate one to designate any political meeting required to be held by law.
—Assembly general. The highest ecclesiastical court in Scotland, composed of a representation of the ministers and elders of the church, regulated by Act 5th Assem. 1694.
— Assembly, unlawful. In criminal law. The assembling of three or more persons together to do an unlawful act, who separate without actually doing it, or making any motion towards it. 3 Inst. 176; 4 Bl. Comm. 146. It differs from a riot or rout, because in each of the latter cases there is some act done besides the simple meeting. See State v. Stalcup, 23 N. O. 30, 35 Am. Dec. 732 ; 9 Car. & P. 91, 431; 5 Car. & P. 154; 1 Bishi Crim. Law, § 535 ; 2 'Bish. Orim. Law, §§ 1256, 1259.