Also 6 (and in 9 in sense 8) conferrence, 7 conferrance. [a. F. conférence (16th c. in Littré), or ad. med.L. conferentia, f. confer-re to CONFER: see -ENCE. (Collation [from the ppl. stem] was in earlier use in most of the senses.)]
† 1. The action of bringing together; collection; addition, adding up. Obs. (Cf. CONFER 1.)
1610. A. Cooke, Pope Joan, in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), IV. 87. It is plain, by conference of years, that he meant to note out the 855th … put these odd sums, 4, 3, and 8, to 840 and they will make 855.
1651. Walton, Life Wotton (1670), 137. The Bible, which by many years labour, and conference, and study, he [Bp. Bedel] had translated into the Irish tongue.
† 2. Contribution, furnishing, supplying. Obs.
1545. Raynold, Byrth Mankynde, 1. The conference of most matter in begettyng.
† 3. Comparison, esp. of texts; collation. Obs.
1538. Elyot, Dict., Pref. to King. The conference of phrases or fourmes of speakynge latin and englyshe.
1562. Q. Kennedy, in Crosraguell & Knox (1563), 19 b (Jam.). Knox does not meit the heid of my partickle quhair I do mark the conferrence betuix the phrase of the scriptures alledged be vs baith.
1602. Fulbecke (title), The second part of the Parallele, or Conference of the Ciuill Law, the Canon Law, and the Common Law.
1645. Ussher, Body Div. (1647), 24. By … conference of other places, the true reading may be discerned.
1663. Charleton, Chorea Gigant., 30. As may be … collected from a Conference of Times, Actions, [etc.].
4. The action of conferring or taking counsel, now always on an important or serious subject or affair; ‘the act of conversing on serious subjects, formal discourse’ (J.); but formerly in the more general sense of: Conversation, discourse, talk.
1555. Eden, Decades, I. ii. 10. You may … knowe by conference had with the apothecaries.
1597. Bacon, Ess., Of Studies (Arb.), 10. Reading maketh a full man, conference a readye man, and writing an exacte man.
1601. Shaks., Jul. C., IV. ii. 17. Nor with such free and friendly Conference As he hath vs’d of old.
1641. Evelyn, Diary, 4 Oct. To St. Mary’s Chapell, where I had some conference with two English Jesuites.
1768. Sterne, Sent. Journ. (1775), I. 19. I saw the monk in close conference with a lady.
1814. Jane Austen, Mansf. Park (1851), 16. Their hours of happy mirth and moments of serious conference.
1828. D’Israeli, Chas. I., I. viii. 268. He demanded to be admitted to a last conference with the King.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. xxiv. 171. Our conference ended with the arrangement that I was to write him an official letter.
† b. Meeting for conversation, rendezvous. Obs.
1575. Churchyard, Chippes (1817), 134. Diuers enimies had alwayes there a common resorte and conference.
† c. Subject of conversation, ‘talk.’ Obs.
1625. Massinger, New Way, IV. i. Wherefore have you … given yourself To visits and entertainments? Think you, madam, ’Tis not grown public conference?
† 5. Communication, converse, intercourse. Obs.
1565. Jewel, Repl. Harding (1611), 196. The foure Patriarkes … vsed to write letters of conference betweene themselues, thereby to professe their Religion one to an other.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., I. xii. 56. Witches, that pretended conference with the dead.
fig. 1582. Hester, Secr. Phiorav., II. xiv. 93. Impostumes in the eyes … because thei haue a conference with the head, thei are evill to heale.
6. A formal meeting for consultation or discussion; e.g., between the representatives of different sovereign states, the two Houses of Parliament or of Congress, the representatives of societies, parties, etc.
Hampton Court Conference, that held by James I. and the High Church party with some of the Puritans in the Church of England, in January, 1604; Savoy Conference, that held at the Savoy Palace in London between the Episcopalians and Presbyterians after the Restoration in 1661.
1586. A. Day, Engl. Secretorie, II. (1625), 20. Whom your selfe knew an houre before our conference, to have bin discharged our company.
1665–6. Marvell, Corr., 5 Jan. A message came … from the Lords for present Conference upon four bills sent up to them.
1669. Phil. Trans., IV. 953. The Conferences held at Paris in the Academy Royal for the improvement of the Arts of Painting and Sculpture.
1769. Robertson, Chas. V., VI. VI. 91. They demanded a conference with the representatives of the cities concerning the state of the nation.
1863. H. Cox, Instit., I. ix. 151. Conferences most usually take place where either House disagrees to amendments in bills made by the other.
1875. Jevons, Money (1878), 49. The International Monetary Conference held at Paris, in 1867.
7. The annual assembly of ministers and other representatives of the Wesleyan Methodist Connexion, constituting its central governing body (first held in 1744); also the name of similar assemblies or bodies in other Methodist societies, and some other religious bodies in Great Britain and America. (Written with capital C.)
1744. Wesley, Jrnl. Monday 25 [June] and the five following days, we spent in conference with many of our brethren. Ibid. (1745). Thursday, August 1, and the following days, we had our second Conference, with as many of our brethren … as could be present. Ibid., Min. Conversations (1749), Conv. ii. Aug. 1, 1745. It was proposed to review the Minutes of the last Conference with regard to justification. Ibid. (1784), Wks. (1872), IV. 512. The Rev. John Wesley’s Declaration and Appointment of the Conference of the people called Methodists.
1859. Geo. Eliot, A. Bede, Epil. ‘Conference has forbid the women preaching’ … ‘Ah,’ said Seth … ‘and a sore pity it was o’ Conference.’
1886. Pall Mall G., 21 July, 10/1. The ‘Legal Hundred’ … is a very important part of the Methodist organization. The one hundred ministers of which it is composed become ex-officio members of the conference for life.
8. The action of conferring; bestowal.
1869. Daily News, 30 Oct. The conference of the degree upon Mr. Absolom was loudly cheered.
1881. Standard, 25 Nov. The conferrence of the degree was loudly cheered by the undergraduates.
9. attrib.
1867. A. Barry, Sir C. Barry, vii. 260. A central conference room.
1886. Pall Mall G., 21 July, 10/1. Elected as conference secretary.
