Conventicle

A private assembly of a few folks under pretense of exercise of religion. The name was first given to the meetings of Wickliffe, but afterwards applied to the meetings of the nonconformists. Cowell. The meetings were made illegal by 16 Car. II. c. 4, and the term, in its later signification, came to denote an unlawful religious assembly. CONVENTIO (Lat. a coming together). In Canon Law. The act of summoning or calling together the parties by summoning the defendant. When the defendant was brought to answer, he was said to be convened, which the canonists called conventio, because the plaintiff and defendant met to contest. Story, Eq. PI. 402; 4 Bouv. Inst, note 4117. In Contracts. An agreement; a covenant. Cowell. Often used in the maxim conventio vincit legem, the express agreement of the parties supersedes the law. Story, Ag. § 368. But this maxim does not apply, it is said, to prevent the application of the general rule of law. Broom, Leg. Max. 308. CONVENTIO PRIVATORUM NON POtest publico juri derogare. An agreement of private persons cannot derogate from public right. Wingate, Max. p. 746, max. 201; Co. Litt. 166a; Dig. 50. 17. 45. 1.

A private assembly of a few folks under pretence of exercise of religion. The name was first given to the meetings of Wickliffe, but afterwards applied to the meetings of the non-conformists. Cowell. The meetings were made illegal by 16 Car. II. c. 4, and the term in its later signification came to denote an unlawful religious assembly. CONVENTIO (Lat. a coming together). In Canon Law. The act of summoning or calling together the parties by summoning the defendant. When the defendant was brought to answer, he was said to be convened, — which the canonists called conventio, because the plaintiff and defendant met to contest. Story, Eq. PI. 402. In Contracts. An agreement; a covenant. Cowell. Often used In the maxim conventio vincit legem (the express agreement of the parties supersedes the law). Story, Ag. § 368. But this maxim does not apply, it is said, to prevent the application of the general rule of law. Broom, Max. 690. See Maxims.

A private assembly for religious worship. First applied, as a term of reproach, to the religious assemblies of Wickliffe, but now usually applied, in England, to a meeting of dissenters.

A private assembly or G meeting for the exercise of religion, The word was first an appellation of reproach to the religious assemblies of Wyclitfe in the reigns of Edward III. and Richard LL., and was atterwards applied to a meeting of dissenters from the established church. As this word in strict propriety denotes an unlawful assembly, it cannot be jusily applied to the assembling of persons in places of worship licensed according to the requisitions of law. Wharton.

[Lat. conventiculum, dim. of conventus; a little assembly.] A private assembly or meeting for religious worship. First applied, as a term of reproach, to the religious assemblies of Wickliffe, in the reigns of Edw. III. and Richard II. Now usually applied m England to a meeting of dissenters from the established church. CowelL Blount, Whartm CiLex. In strict propriety, the term denotes an unlawful assembly.