Note: Synods are of four kinds: 1. General, or ecumenical,
which are composed of bishops from different nations;
-- commonly called general council. 2. National,
composed of bishops of one nation only. 3. Provincial,
in which the bishops of only one province meet; --
called also convocations. 4. Diocesan, a synod in which
the bishop of the diocese or his representative
presides. Among Presbyterians, a synod is composed of
several adjoining presbyteries. The members are the
ministers and a ruling elder from each parish.
2. An assembly or council having civil authority; a
legislative body.
It hath in solemn synods been decreed, Both by the
Syracusians and ourselves, To admit no traffic to
our adverse towns. --Shak.
Parent of gods and men, propitious Jove! And you,
bright synod of the powers above. --Dryden.
3. (Astron.) A conjunction of two or more of the heavenly
bodies. [R.] --Milton.