congress
Definitions
A national legislature, especially the US Congress.
国会（尤指美国国会）。
A large formal meeting of representatives or specialists.
代表大会；（专业）大会。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcon- (together) + gress (to walk) = a walking-together, a coming-together of people. Originally any formal gathering; the US adopted it as the name of its legislature because representatives literally assemble in one place.
Root gress still carries 64 more wordsWhy It Means This
Why does a word for 'walking together' mean a parliament? In Latin, congressus meant any meeting or encounter — people stepping toward one another. When the US founders needed a name for their assembly of state representatives, this neutral word for 'a gathering' fit perfectly. Capitalized, Congress is the specific institution; lowercase, a congress is still any large formal meeting.
Common Collocations
- 1.U.S. Congress美国国会
- 2.international congress国际代表大会
Example Sentences
- 1.
Congress passed the bill after a long debate.
- 2.
Thousands attended the international medical congress in Vienna.