conventicle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, historical, ecclesiastical
Quick answer
What does “conventicle” mean?
A secret or illegal religious meeting, especially of Nonconformists or dissenters in 16th–18th century England/Scotland.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A secret or illegal religious meeting, especially of Nonconformists or dissenters in 16th–18th century England/Scotland.
1) A small, unauthorized, or clandestine religious assembly. 2) By extension, any small, private, or secret meeting of like-minded individuals, often with a slightly pejorative sense of exclusivity or separatism. 3) The building where such a meeting is held.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More likely to appear in British historical/religious texts due to its specific context in English/Scottish history. American usage is rarer and almost exclusively in historical or highly formal religious writing.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries historical and formal weight. In British context, specifically evokes the Penal Laws against Nonconformists and Covenanters.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, but marginally higher in UK historical discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “conventicle” in a Sentence
[Verb] + a conventicle (hold, attend, forbid, suppress)[Adjective] + conventicle (secret, illegal, private)conventicle + [of + NP] (a conventicle of dissenters)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conventicle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The dissenters would conventicle in remote barns to avoid the authorities.
American English
- They were accused of conventicling in the woods outside the town.
adjective
British English
- The conventicle meetings were a source of great anxiety for the established clergy. (attributive use)
American English
- He studied conventicle activity during the Great Awakening. (attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, theological, and religious studies contexts to describe non-sanctioned religious meetings.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would be used for deliberate historical or metaphorical effect.
Technical
A precise term in church history and historical sociology of religion.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “conventicle”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “conventicle”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conventicle”
- Confusing with 'convention'.
- Using it to refer to any large, official religious conference.
- Mispronouncing as /ˈkɒnvəntaɪk(ə)l/ (stress on first syllable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. It is primarily a historical term. When used in modern contexts, it is usually for deliberate historical reference or as a learned/metaphorical term for a secretive clique.
A conventicle implies a secret, unofficial, or illegal meeting, often of a minority group. A church refers to an established, public, and authorized place of worship or the institution itself.
Yes, but it is archaic. 'To conventicle' means to hold or attend such a secret religious meeting.
Historically, it was often used pejoratively by authorities to describe illegal meetings. In modern academic use, it is neutral-descriptive. In metaphorical modern use, it can carry a slight negative connotation of secrecy and exclusivity.
A secret or illegal religious meeting, especially of Nonconformists or dissenters in 16th–18th century England/Scotland.
Conventicle is usually formal, historical, ecclesiastical in register.
Conventicle: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈvɛntɪk(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈvɛn(t)ək(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CONVENT + ICLE (small). A small, secret convent (religious community) meeting illegally.
Conceptual Metaphor
SECRECY IS DARKNESS / DISSENT IS SEPARATION / A CLIQUE IS A SECRET SOCIETY.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary historical context of a 'conventicle'?