A group of persons having a common interest, purpose, faith, status, occupation, function, etc.: (a) a host (of angels, saints, the saved); holi ~; the ~ of heven, the heavenly host; also, an order (of angels); lord of compainies, Lord of Hosts; (b) a body of followers, attendants, retainers; retinue, entourage; the Cristen ~, the Christians; (c) a group of warriors; an army or host; ~ of knightes; ~ of hors, a troop of cavalry; also, a fleet or squadron; (d) a subdivision of Roman century, a battalion; (e) a professional group, such as a trade guild or an ecclesiastical body; also, an organization of Roman citizens.

(a) Any group of persons gathered casually or on a particular occasion; a group of visitors or guests; a social gathering; (b) a multitude.

(a) Intimate association with another or with others; companionship, fellowship, company; withoute ~, without a companion; (b) beren ~, don ~, haven ~, holden ~, maken ~, to associate with (sb.); accompany, escort; befriend (sb.), be friends (with sb.); folwen ~, seek (someone's) companionship or friendship; shonen ~, shun (someone's) company; departen ~, part company; (c) comen into ~, to enter into (good) company; dwellen nigh ~, live intimately with (sb.); haven in ~, have (sb.) as a companion or mate; putten into ~, make (sb.) a companion; don, sheten out of ~, exclude (sb.) from (one's) company, cast out; (d) gon in ~, to go in one body or together; per ~, in a body; in accompaniment.

Companionship or intimacy between the sexes; sexual union, intercourse; ~ of man.

Sociability, courtesy, amiability; friendship; poverte brekes ~, poverty breaks up friendship; don after ~, be courteous.

Of animals: (a) a herd (of beasts), a flock (of birds), a swarm (of bees), etc.; (b) liven in ~, to live in (their) midst; taken in ~, adopt into (one's) company; comen in ~, live or mate with (the male).

Of things: (a) a collection or mass; (b) association, connection; combination; conjunction; (c) kinship; ~ of kinde, natural kinship; (d) proximity, contact.