2. Intercourse between two or more persons; esp., intimate association and intercourse implying sympathy and confidence; interchange of thoughts, purposes, etc.; agreement; fellowship; as, the communion of saints. [ 1913 Webster ]

We are naturally induced to seek communion and fellowship with others. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

What communion hath light with darkness? 2 Cor. vi. 14. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bare communion with a good church can never alone make a good man. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A body of Christians having one common faith and discipline; as, the Presbyterian communion. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The sacrament of the eucharist; the celebration of the Lord's supper; the act of partaking of the sacrament; as, to go to communion; to partake of the communion; called also Holy Communion. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

Close communion. See under Close, a. --
Communion elements, the bread and wine used in the celebration of the Lord's supper. --
Communion service, the celebration of the Lord's supper, or the office or service therefor. --
Communion table, the table upon which the elements are placed at the celebration of the Lord's supper. --
Communion in both kinds, participation in both the bread and wine by all communicants. --
Communion in one kind, participation in but one element, as in the Roman Catholic Church, where the laity partake of the bread only.

Syn. -- Share; participation; fellowship; converse; intercourse; unity; concord; agreement. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A breach of concord and its effect; alienation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Such a disunion between the two houses as might much clou&unr_; the happiness of this kingdom. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The termination or disruption of the union of the States forming the United States. [ 1913 Webster ]

I have not accustomed myself to hang over the precipice of disunion. D. Webster. [ 1913 Webster ]

Excommunication is the utmost of ecclesiastical judicature. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not employing trade union members; not recognizing or favoring trades unions or trades-unionists; as, a nonunion contractor; a nonunion subcontractor. -- Non*un"ion*ism n. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

2. (R. C. Ch.) A prayer or prayers which the priest says at Mass, after the ablutions. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An assembling of persons who have been separated, as of a family, or the members of a disbanded regiment; an assembly so composed. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Union differs from connection, as it implies that the bodies are in contact, without an inter&unr_;ening body; whereas things may be connected by the in&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;vention of a third body, as by a cord or chain. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Agreement and conjunction of mind, spirit, will, affections, or the like; harmony; concord. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which is united, or made one; something formed by a combination or coalition of parts or members; a confederation; a consolidated body; a league; as, the weavers have formed a union; trades unions have become very numerous; the United States of America are often called the Union. A. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A textile fabric composed of two or more materials, as cotton, silk, wool, etc., woven together. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A large, fine pearl. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

If they [ pearls ] be white, great, round, smooth, and weighty . . . our dainties and delicates here at Rome . . . call them unions, as a man would say “singular, ” and by themselves alone. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

In the cup an union shall he throw,
Richer than that which four successive kings
In Denmark's crown have worn. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A device emblematic of union, used on a national flag or ensign, sometimes, as in the military standard of Great Britain, covering the whole field; sometimes, as in the flag of the United States, and the English naval and marine flag, occupying the upper inner corner, the rest of the flag being called the fly. Also, a flag having such a device; especially, the flag of Great Britain. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The union of the United States ensign is a cluster of white stars, denoting the union of the States, and, properly, equal in number to that of the States, displayed on a blue field; the fly being composed of alternate stripes of red and white. The union of the British ensign is the three crosses of St. George, St. Andrew, and St. Patrick in combination, denoting the union of England, Scotland and Ireland, displayed on a blue field in the national banner used on shore, on a red, white, or blue field in naval ensigns, and with a white border or fly in the merchant service. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Mach.) A joint or other connection uniting parts of machinery, or the like, as the elastic pipe of a tender connecting it with the feed pipe of a locomotive engine; especially, a pipe fitting for connecting pipes, or pipes and fittings, in such a way as to facilitate disconnection. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Brewing) A cask suspended on trunnions, in which fermentation is carried on. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hypostatic union (Theol.) See under Hypostatic. --
Latin union. See under Latin. --
Legislative Union (Eng. Hist.), the union of Great Britain and Ireland, which took place Jan. 1, 1801. --
Union, or
Act of Union (Eng. Hist.), the act by which Scotland was united to England, or by which the two kingdoms were incorporated into one, in 1707. --
Union by the first intention, or
Union by the second intention. (Surg.) See To heal by the first intention, or To heal by the second intention, under Intention. --
Union down (Naut.), a signal of distress at sea made by reversing the flag, or turning its union downward. --
Union jack. (Naut.) See Jack, n., 10. --
Union joint. (Mech.) (a) A joint formed by means of a union. (b) A piece of pipe made in the form of the letter T. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Unity; junction; connection; concord; alliance; coalition; combination; confederacy. -- Union, Unity. Union is the act of bringing two or more things together so as to make but one, or the state of being united into one. Unity is a state of simple oneness, either of essence, as the unity of God, or of action, feeling, etc., as unity of design, of affection, etc. Thus, we may speak of effecting a union of interests which shall result in a unity of labor and interest in securing a given object. [ 1913 Webster ]

One kingdom, joy, and union without end. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Man ] is to . . . beget
Like of his like, his image multiplied.
In unity defective; which requires
Collateral love, and dearest amity. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The principles, or the system, of combination among workmen engaged in the same occupation or trade. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A member or supporter of a trades union. [ 1913 Webster ]