so·ci·e·ty (s -s   -t )n. pl. so·ci·e·ties 1. a. The totality of social relationships among humans. b. A group of humans broadly distinguished from other groups by mutual interests, participation in characteristic relationships, shared institutions, and a common culture. c. The institutions and culture of a distinct self-perpetuating group. 2. An organization or association of persons engaged in a common profession, activity, or interest: a folklore society; a society of bird watchers. 3. a. The rich, privileged, and fashionable social class. b. The socially dominant members of a community. 4. Companionship; company: enjoys the society of friends and family members. 5. Biology A colony or community of organisms, usually of the same species: an insect society. [French société, from Old French, from Latin societ  s, fellowship, from socius, companion; see sekw-1 in Indo-European roots.] |
society [səˈsaɪətɪ]
n pl -ties
1. (Sociology) the totality of social relationships among organized groups of human beings or animals
2. (Sociology) a system of human organizations generating distinctive cultural patterns and institutions and usually providing protection, security, continuity, and a national identity for its members
3. (Sociology) such a system with reference to its mode of social and economic organization or its dominant class middle-class society
4. (Sociology) those with whom one has companionship
5. an organized group of people associated for some specific purpose or on account of some common interest a learned society
6.
a. the privileged class of people in a community, esp as considered superior or fashionable
b. (as modifier) a society woman
7. the social life and intercourse of such people to enter society as a debutante
8. companionship; the fact or state of being together with someone else I enjoy her society
9. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) Ecology a small community of plants within a larger association
[via Old French societé from Latin societās, from socius a comrade]
Society
the attitude of taking an active part in events, especially in a social context. — activist, n.
an abnormal fear of people, especially in groups.
1. government by the best people.
2. an upper class based on quality, nobility, etc.
2. an upper class based on quality, nobility, etc.
a dedication to aristocratie behavior.
the attitudes and actions of aristocrats.
a society or nation ruled by a person with absolute authority. — autocrat, n. — autocratie, adj.
In England. the aristocracy that gained its wealth and social posi-tion from the ownership of breweries.
a Utopian society in which all foods and other material needs will be prepared by chemical processes. — chemocrat, n.
an upper class based on wealth. Also chrysoaristocracy.
the area of political science concerned with citizenship.
a brotherhood, especially a group of men bound by a common goal or interest.
that portion of the upper class whose wealth comes from the cotton trade. — cottonocrat, n.
a doctrine of or belief in social equality or the right of all people to participate equally in politics.
attitudes or actions of well-intentioned but sometimes ineffectual people, especially in the area of social reform.
the branch of sociology that studies the environmental spacing and interdependence of people and their institutions. — ecologist, oecologist, n. — ecologie, oecologic, ecological, oecological, adj.
the process by which a person adapts to and assimilates the culture in which he lives.
the doctrine or practice of excluding certain groups or individuals from enjoyment of certain rights or privileges. — exclusionist, n.
theories and beliefs of J. G. Fichte (1762-1814), German philosopher and social thinker, a precursor of socialism. — Fichtean, n., adj.
government or domination of society by fools.
the state of being nonhomogeneous or inharmonious. — fractionalization, n.
a fellowship or association of men, as for a benevolent or charitable purpose or at a college.
a state in which the worst possible conditions exist in government, society, law. etc. See also utopia.
a ruling class that owes its power to its possession of land. — landocrat, n.
1. the system of manorial social and political organization, as in the Middle Ages.
2. its principles and practices.
3. Sometimes Pejorative. any small, strong unit of local political and social organization.
2. its principles and practices.
3. Sometimes Pejorative. any small, strong unit of local political and social organization.
1. a matriarchal form of government.
2. a family, tribe, or other social group ruled by a matriarch or matriarchs. — matriarchic, adj.
2. a family, tribe, or other social group ruled by a matriarch or matriarchs. — matriarchic, adj.
government or dominance of society by the médiocre.
a powerful class composed of people who have achieved position on the basis of their merit rather than by birth or privilege. — meritocrat, n.
government or domination of society by the rich.
Facetious. a wealthy and dominant force in society whose wealth and power is based on control of oil.
the sociological theory that all cultures or societies follow the same fixed course of determinate evolution. See also evolution. — orthogenetic, adj.
the condition of being outcast from society. — pariahdom, n.
the domination of a social group, especially a small rural com-munity, by the parson.
1. behavior or attitudes typical of one who has recently acquired wealth or social position.
2. the state or quality of being a parvenu or upstart. — parvenu, n., adj.
2. the state or quality of being a parvenu or upstart. — parvenu, n., adj.
1. a subdivision of an ancient Greek tribe or phyle.
2. a clan or other unit of a primitive tribe.
2. a clan or other unit of a primitive tribe.
the state of living apart from society, like a hermit. — recluse, n. — reclusive, adj.
the rank, position or jurisdiction of a steward of a medieval prince or nobleman.
Facetious. snobs as a class in society.
the process of adapting to a social group; social intercourse or activity.
collective government or government by society as a whole.
a theory asserted sociologistically. — sociologistic, adj.
1. the science or study of the origin, development, organization, and functioning of human society.
2. the science of the fundamental laws of social relations, institutions, etc. — sociologist, n. — sociologie, sociological, adj.
2. the science of the fundamental laws of social relations, institutions, etc. — sociologist, n. — sociologie, sociological, adj.
the measurement of social attitudes within a group by sampling expressions of social acceptance or rejection. — sociometrist, n. — sociometrie, adj.
Rare. the study of the laws that govern the development of society.
a fellowship, brotherhood, or other association of a benevolent nature, especially in the Roman Catholic Church. — sodalist, n., adj.
Sociology. a theory that the possibility of founding a social organization upon a solidarity of interests is to be found in the natural interde-pendence of members of a society. — solidarist, n. — solidaristic, adj.
the feeling or expression of union in a group formed by a common interest.
a fellowship or association of women, as for a benevolent or charitable purpose or at a college.
a woman’s club or society, named after a club of that name, founded in 1869.
In Britain. the squires or landed gentry as a class.
the practice or custom, as among the ancient Spartans and Cretans, of eating the main meal of the day together in public to strengthen social and political bonds.
the harnessing of natural and social forces for a beneficial goal.
1. the practice of having a natural object or animate being, as a bird or animal, as the emblem of a family, clan, or group.
2. the practice of regarding such a totem as mystically related to the family, clan, or group and therefore not to be hunted.
3. a system of tribal organization according to totems. — totemic, adj.
2. the practice of regarding such a totem as mystically related to the family, clan, or group and therefore not to be hunted.
3. a system of tribal organization according to totems. — totemic, adj.
the beliefs and policies associated with the welfare system.
Society the people in the fashionable world, 1813; certain communities of animals or insects.
Examples: society of beavers, 1794; of wasps, 1826.
Society
- Civilization, like beauty, is in the eyes of the beholder —Anon
- A good civilization spreads over us freely like a tree, varying and yielding because it is alive. A bad civilization stands up and sticks out above us like an umbrella —G. K. Chesterton
- A community is like a ship; every one ought to be prepared to take the helm —Henrik Ibsen
- Modern society is like a Calder mobile: disturb it here and it jiggles over there, too —George F. Will
- Social life is a form of do-it-yourself theater —Muriel Oxenberg Murphy, New York Times interview
- Societies, like individuals, have their moral crises and their spiritual revolutions —Richard H. Tawney
- Society is a kind of parent to its members. If it, and they, are to thrive, its values must be clear, coherent and generally acceptable —Milton R. Sapirstein
- Society is a masked ball, where everyone hides his real character, and reveals it in hiding —Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Society is like air; very high up, it is sublimated, too low down, a perfect choke-damp —Anon
- Society is like a lawn, where every roughness is smoothed, every bramble eradicated, and where the eye is delighted by the smiling verdure of a velvet surface —Washington Irving
- Society is like a wave. The wave moves onward, but the water of which it is composed does not —Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Society is like the air, necessary to breathe, but insufficient to live on —George Santayana
sociable, social, society - Sociable, social, society, etc. originate in Latin socius, "companion, fellow," or "colleague."
See also related terms for social.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  society - an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organizationsocial group - people sharing some social relation sector - a social group that forms part of the society or the economy; "the public sector" social class, socio-economic class, stratum, class - people having the same social, economic, or educational status; "the working class"; "an emerging professional class" civilization, civilisation - a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations); "the people slowly progressed from barbarism to civilization" culture, civilisation, civilization - a particular society at a particular time and place; "early Mayan civilization" open society - a society that allows its members considerable freedom (as in a democracy); "America's open society has made it an easy target for terrorists" tribal society - a society with the social organization of a tribe social organisation, social organization, social structure, social system, structure - the people in a society considered as a system organized by a characteristic pattern of relationships; "the social organization of England and America is very different"; "sociologists have studied the changing structure of the family" |
| 2. |  society - a formal association of people with similar interests; "he joined a golf club"; "they formed a small lunch society"; "men from the fraternal order will staff the soup kitchen today"association - a formal organization of people or groups of people; "he joined the Modern Language Association" bookclub - a club that people join in order to buy selected books at reduced prices chapter - a local branch of some fraternity or association; "he joined the Atlanta chapter" chess club - a club of people to play chess country club - a suburban club for recreation and socializing frat, fraternity - a social club for male undergraduates glee club - a club organized to sing together golf club - a club of people to play golf investors club - a club of small investors who buy and sell securities jointly jockey club - a club to promote and regulate horse racing racket club - club for players of racket sports rowing club - a club for rowers slate club - a group of people who save money in a common fund for a specific purpose (usually distributed at Christmas) sorority - a social club for female undergraduates turnverein - a club of tumblers or gymnasts boat club, yacht club - club that promotes and supports yachting and boating service club - a club of professional or business people organized for their coordination and active in public services club member - someone who is a member of a club | |
| 3. |  society - the state of being with someone; "he missed their company"; "he enjoyed the society of his friends"freemasonry - a natural or instinctive fellowship between people of similar interests; "he enjoyed the freemasonry of the Press" friendly relationship, friendship - the state of being friends (or friendly) | |
| 4. |  society - the fashionable elite Four Hundred - the exclusive social set of a city elite, elite group - a group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual or social or economic status |
society
noun
1. the community, social order, people, the public, the population, humanity, civilization, mankind, the general public, the world at large This reflects attitudes and values prevailing in society.
2. community, culture, population those responsible for destroying our African heritage and the fabric of our society
3. organization, group, club, union, league, association, institute, circle, corporation, guild, fellowship, fraternity, brotherhood or sisterhood the historical society
4. upper classes, gentry, upper crust (informal), elite, the swells (informal), high society, the top drawer, polite society, the toffs (Brit. slang), the smart set, beau monde, the nobs (slang), the country set, haut monde (French) The couple tried to secure themselves a position in society.
5. (Old-fashioned) companionship, company, fellowship, friendship, camaraderie I largely withdrew from the society of others.
Quotations
"Human life in common is only made possible when a majority comes together which is stronger than any separate individual and which remains united against all separate individuals" [Sigmund Freud Civilization and Its Discontents]
"Man did not enter into society to become worse than he was before, nor to have fewer rights than he had before, but to have those rights better secured" [Thomas Paine The Rights of Man]
"There is no such thing as society" [Margaret Thatcher]
"He who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god" [Aristotle Politics]
"Human life in common is only made possible when a majority comes together which is stronger than any separate individual and which remains united against all separate individuals" [Sigmund Freud Civilization and Its Discontents]
"Man did not enter into society to become worse than he was before, nor to have fewer rights than he had before, but to have those rights better secured" [Thomas Paine The Rights of Man]
"There is no such thing as society" [Margaret Thatcher]
"He who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or a god" [Aristotle Politics]
Translations
society [səˈsaɪətɪ]
A. N
1. (= social community) → sociedad f
he was a danger to society → era un peligro para la sociedad
a multi-cultural society → una sociedad pluricultural
he was a danger to society → era un peligro para la sociedad
a multi-cultural society → una sociedad pluricultural
2. (= company) → compañía f
I enjoyed his society → me encantó su compañía
in the society of → en compañía de, acompañado por
in polite society → entre gente educada
I enjoyed his society → me encantó su compañía
in the society of → en compañía de, acompañado por
in polite society → entre gente educada
3. (= high society) → alta sociedad f
to go into society [girl] → ponerse de largo
to move in society → frecuentar la alta sociedad
to go into society [girl] → ponerse de largo
to move in society → frecuentar la alta sociedad
4. (= club, organization) → asociación f, sociedad f
a drama society → una asociación or sociedad de amigos del teatro
the Glasgow film society → la sociedad cinematográfica de Glasgow
learned society → sociedad f científica, academia f
the Society of Friends → los cuáqueros
a drama society → una asociación or sociedad de amigos del teatro
the Glasgow film society → la sociedad cinematográfica de Glasgow
learned society → sociedad f científica, academia f
the Society of Friends → los cuáqueros
society [səˈsaɪəti]
n
(= social community) → société f
We live in a multi-cultural society → Nous vivons dans une société multiculturelle.
We live in a multi-cultural society → Nous vivons dans une société multiculturelle.
(= club) → société f
a drama society → un club de théâtre
the film society → le ciné-club
I'm on the committee of the local film society
a drama society → un club de théâtre
the film society → le ciné-club
I'm on the committee of the local film society
(also high society) → haute société f, société f
modif [party, wedding] → mondain(e); [girl, lady] → de la haute société
society column n (in newspaper) → carnet m mondain
socio-economic [ˌsəʊsiəʊiːkənɒmɪk] adj → socioéconomique
society column n (in newspaper) → carnet m mondain
socio-economic [ˌsəʊsiəʊiːkənɒmɪk] adj → socioéconomique
society
society in cpds → Gesellschafts-;
n
(= social community) → die Gesellschaft; modern industrial society → die moderne Industriegesellschaft
(= company) → Gesellschaft f; I enjoy her society (esp liter) → ich bin gerne in ihrer Gesellschaft; everyone needs human society → jeder braucht die Gesellschaft anderer Menschen
(= high society) → die Gesellschaft; London society → die Londoner Gesellschaft, die gesellschaftlichen Kreise Londons; to go into society → in die Gesellschaft eingeführt werden; the years she spent in society → die Jahre, die sie in gesellschaftlichen or feinen Kreisen verbracht hat
(= club, organization) → Verein m; (learned, Comm) → Gesellschaft f; (debating, history, dramatic etc, Sch) → Arbeitsgemeinschaft f; (Univ) → Klub m; cooperative society → Genossenschaft f; Society of Jesus → Gesellschaft Jesu
society in cpds → Gesellschafts-;
society column
n → Gesellschaftsspalte f
society gossip
n → Gesellschaftsklatsch m
society man
n → Mann m → der Gesellschaft
society [səˈsaɪətɪ]
1. n
a. (social community) → società f inv
to live in society → vivere in società
he was a danger to society → era un pericolo pubblico
to live in society → vivere in società
he was a danger to society → era un pericolo pubblico
b. (club, organization) → società f inv, associazione f
film society → cineclub m inv
learned society → circolo culturale
film society → cineclub m inv
learned society → circolo culturale
d. (frm) (company) → compagnia
in the society of → in compagnia di
I enjoyed his society → ho gradito la sua compagnia
in the society of → in compagnia di
I enjoyed his society → ho gradito la sua compagnia
2. adj (party, column) → mondano/a
n society [səˈsaiəti]
1 mankind considered as a whole He was a danger to society. gemeenskap مُجْتَمَع общественост lidská společnost samfund die Gesellschaft κοινωνία sociedad ühiskond جامعه yhteiskunta société חֶברָה समाज društvo társadalom umat manusia mannlegt samfélag società 社会 인류 visuomenė sabiedrība masyarakat maatschappij samfunnet społeczeństwo sociedade societate общество ľudská spoločnosť družba društvo samhälle[] สังคม toplum 社會 суспільство معاشرہ، سماج xã hội 社会
2 a particular group or part of mankind considered as a whole middle-class society; modern western societies. gemeenskap جَماعَه، مُجْتَمَع общество společnost samfund; -samfund die Gesellschaft κοινωνία, κοινωνική ομάδα sociedad ühiskond جمعيت yhteiskunta société חֶברָה समाज društvo, krugovi társadalom masyarakat samfélag società ～社会 (특정한) 사회집단 visuomenė sabiedrība masyarakat samenleving samfunn społeczeństwo sociedade societate общество spoločnosť družba društvo social grupp ชนชั้น sınıf, kişiler, insanlar 社會集團 громада; громадськість سماج tầng lớp, giai cấp xã hội 社会集团
3 an association or club a model railway society. vereniging جَمْعِيَّه، نادٍ група sdružení, klub forening; klub der Verein σύλλογος, (μη εμπορική) εταιρεία asociación, sociedad ühing انجمن yhdistys association אֲגוּדָה संघ društvo, zadruga társaság perhimpunan félag, samtök società, associazione 協会 협회, 단체 draugija, sąjunga biedrība; savienība persatuan vereniging samfunn, forening towarzystwo sociedade asociaţie ассоциация; клуб združenie, klub društvo društvo sällskap, förening สมาคม dernek, kulüp 會，社 товариство; об'єднання کوئی تنظيم یا کلب đoàn thể, hội 会，社
4 the class of people who are wealthy, fashionable or of high rank in any area high society. groep, klas طَبَقَة إجْتِماعِيَّه светско общество společnost de fine kredse; high society die Gesellschaft υψηλή κοινωνία alta sociedad kõrgem seltskond, kõrgem kiht طبقه ي اجتماعي seurapiirit société הַחֶברָה הַגבוֹהַה उच्च वर्ग visoko društvo, otmjeni krugovi társaság kelas tinggi efri stéttir þjóðfélagsins; fína fólkið società 上流社会 상류 사회 visuomenė augstākās aprindas golongan sosialit society sosieteten, det gode selskap towarzystwo alta roda protipendadă свет(ское общество) spoločnosť visoka družba društvo societet ชนชั้นสูง sosyete, kibarlar sınıfı 上流社會 світське товариство کسی گروہ انسانی کے نمائندہ لوگ tầng lớp thượng lưu 上流社会
5 company or companionship I enjoy the society of young people. samesyn شَرِكَه компания společnost selskab die Gesellschaft συντροφιά, συναναστροφή compañía seltskond مصاحبت؛ هم نشيني seura compagnie חֶברָה संगति društvo, druženje társaság kalangan félagsskapur compagnia 交わり 교제 draugija sabiedrība; kompānija bersama-sama gezelschap selskap towarzystwo companhia companie общество spoločnosť družba društvo sällskap, umgänge การคบค้าสมาคม arkadaş(lık) 友誼，交往 спілкування, контакт صحبت، ساتھ sự giao du, sự giao thiệp 友谊，交往
society → مجتمع společnost samfund Gesellschaft κοινωνία sociedad yhteiskunta société društvo società 社会 사회 maatschappij samfunn społeczeństwo sociedade общество samhälle สังคม toplum xã hội 社会
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