company of jesus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareFormal, Historical, Ecclesiastical
Quick answer
What does “company of jesus” mean?
The formal and official name of the Roman Catholic religious order, the Society of Jesus, founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1540.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The formal and official name of the Roman Catholic religious order, the Society of Jesus, founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1540.
The term is used historically and officially to refer to the Jesuit order. It can occasionally appear in metaphorical or critical contexts referring to the perceived power, influence, or intellectualism associated with the Jesuits.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage or understanding; the term is equally rare and formal in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries strong historical, religious, and institutional connotations. May imply traditionalism, education, missionary work, or, in some critical secular contexts, perceived political influence.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in everyday language. Appears almost exclusively in historical texts, formal Catholic documents, or scholarly works on religion.
Grammar
How to Use “company of jesus” in a Sentence
[the] + Company of Jesus + [verb: was founded/suppressed/expanded][subject] + joined/entered + the Company of JesusVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, theological, and religious studies contexts to refer specifically to the founding and early history of the Jesuit order.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Most people would say 'the Jesuits'.
Technical
Used in formal ecclesiastical documents, papal bulls, and the constitutions of the order itself.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “company of jesus”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “company of jesus”
- Incorrect capitalisation: 'company of Jesus'.
- Using it in a modern business context.
- Confusing it with a general phrase for a group of Christians.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is the original formal name for the religious order commonly known as the Society of Jesus or the Jesuits.
The founder, St. Ignatius of Loyola, was a former soldier. He used military terminology, envisioning the order as a 'company' of spiritual soldiers serving under the banner of Christ.
No, it is a historical and formal term. In everyday language, people almost always say 'the Jesuits' or 'the Society of Jesus'.
Yes, as it is part of the official proper name of the religious order, all key words should be capitalised: the Company of Jesus.
The formal and official name of the Roman Catholic religious order, the Society of Jesus, founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in 1540.
Company of jesus is usually formal, historical, ecclesiastical in register.
Company of jesus: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌmp(ə)ni əv ˈdʒiːzəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌmpəni əv ˈdʒiːzəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'company' as a band of soldiers (a military metaphor St. Ignatius used). The 'Company of Jesus' is the band of spiritual soldiers founded to serve Jesus.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELIGIOUS ORDER IS AN ARMY / A COMPANY. The name originates from the military background of St. Ignatius, framing the religious community as a disciplined cohort serving under the banner of Christ.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'Company of Jesus' MOST LIKELY be used?