sb. pl. [L., pl. of comitium assembly, place of assembly, f. com- together + -itium going: cf. ex-itium out-going, in-itium entrance.]
1. Roman Antiq. An assembly of the Roman people convened for the purpose of electing magistrates and passing laws. Formerly COMICES.
1734. trans. Rollin’s Anc. Hist. (1827), IX. XX. 54. The comitia or assemblies for the election of consuls at Rome.
1838–43. Arnold, Hist. Rome, II. xxv. 9. To hold the comitia.
2. transf. and gen. An assembly. rare.
1625. B. Jonson, Staple of N., V. i. No rogue, at a comitia of the canters.
1861. Pearson, Early & Mid. Ages Eng., 62. The Saxon … attending the gemot or comitia of his tribe.
3. A name formerly given at Oxford to the principal assemblage during the Act, at which public Disputations took place, and degrees were conferred; now the Encænia.
It took place on the Monday after Act Sunday.
1714. Ayliffe, Univ. Oxf. (1723), II. II. i. 132. On Sunday, between the Vespers and Comitia (for so are the Exercises of Saturday and Monday stiled) there are two sermons in the English Tongue. Ibid. The Senior Proctor (who in respect of the Artists Inceptors, is called Father of the Comitia). Ibid., 133. On Tuesday, after the Comitia, a Latin Sermon is preached … in St. Mary’s Church.
