ecclesia

[ ih-klee-zhee-uh, -zee-uh ]
/ ɪˈkli ʒi ə, -zi ə /

noun, plural ec·cle·si·ae [ih-klee-zhee-ee, -zee-ee] /ɪˈkli ʒiˌi, -ziˌi/.

an assembly, especially the popular assembly of ancient Athens.
a congregation; church.

Origin of ecclesia

1570–80; < Latin < Greek ekklēsía assembly, equivalent to ékklēt(os) summoned ( ek- ec- + klē-, variant of kal-, stem of kaleîn to call, + -tos past participle suffix) + -ia -ia

British Dictionary definitions for ecclesia

ecclesia
/ (ɪˈkliːzɪə) /

noun plural -siae (-zɪˌiː)

(in formal Church usage) a congregation
the assembly of citizens of an ancient Greek state

Word Origin for ecclesia

C16: from Medieval Latin, from Late Greek ekklēsia assembly, from ekklētos called, from ekkalein to call out, from kalein to call