So much his ascension into heaven and his session at
the right hand of God do import. --Hooker.
But Viven, gathering somewhat of his mood, . . .
Leaped from her session on his lap, and stood.
--Tennyson.
2. The actual sitting of a court, council, legislature, etc.,
or the actual assembly of the members of such a body, for
the transaction of business.
It's fit this royal session do proceed. --Shak.
3. Hence, also, the time, period, or term during which a
court, council, legislature, etc., meets daily for
business; or, the space of time between the first meeting
and the prorogation or adjournment; thus, a session of
Parliaments is opened with a speech from the throne, and
closed by prorogation. The session of a judicial court is
called a term.
It was resolved that the convocation should meet at
the beginning of the next session of Parliament.
--Macaulay.
Note: Sessions, in some of the States, is particularly used
as a title for a court of justices, held for granting
licenses to innkeepers, etc., and for laying out
highways, and the like; it is also the title of several
courts of criminal jurisdiction in England and the
United States.
{Church session}, the lowest court in the Presbyterian
Church, composed of the pastor and a body of elders
elected by the members of a particular church, and having
the care of matters pertaining to the religious interests
of that church, as the admission and dismission of
members, discipline, etc.
{Court of Session}, the supreme civil court of Scotland.
{Quarter sessions}. (Eng.Law) See under {Quarter}.
{Sessions of the peace}, sittings held by justices of the
peace. [Eng.]