Now rare. [ad. L. congressiōn-em, n. of action f. congred-ī to go or come together: so F. congression in sense 1 (16th c. in Littré).]
1. The action of coming together or meeting; = CONGRESS sb. 1, 2.
1611. Cotgr., Congression, companie, congression with others.
1650. Charleton, Paradoxes, 18. In the first moment of congression.
1813. T. I. M. Forster, Atmosph. Phænom. (1815), 60. The spectator … seldom sees it in actual congression.
† 2. Copulation, coition; = CONGRESS sb. 4. Obs.
1546. Langley, Pol. Verg. De Invent., I. iv. 8 a. That by the congression and compaignye of these two sexes … there issue might be enlarged.
1660. Jer. Taylor, Duct. Dubit., II. ii. Rule 3. If the danger … can legitimate the congression.
† 3. Hostile encounter; = CONGRESS sb. 3. Obs.
c. 1611. Chapman, Iliad, I. Comm. (D.). I must conscionably make congression with such as have diminished, mangled, and maimed my … author.
1657. S. Purchas, Pol. Flying-Ins., 20. Their War … by a violent or accidental congression of two swarmes.
† 4. Comparison. Obs.–1
1660. Jer. Taylor, Duct. Dubit., I. iv. Rule 1. The truth of Christianity, approved by a direct and close congression with other religions.
