Association

The act of a number of persons in uniting for some purpose, whether social, business or benevolent. The persons so joining, or the organization by them formed. Though the term covers any united action, however temporary, it is generally applied to a formal union under an associate name, and by an agreement known as "articles of association." The organization resembles a corporation, but the powers and liabilities of its members and representatives are more nearly related to those of a partnership, from which they differ in having no delectiis personarum, and in the fact that the authority as to the public is in oificers, and not in the members generally. See "Joint-Stock Company." In English Law. A writ directing certain persons (usually the clerk and his subordinate officers) to associate themselves with the justices and sergeants for the purpose of taking the assizes.

3 Sharswood, Bl. Comm. 59.