[n. of action f. AGGREGATE v., as if ad. L. *aggregātiōn-em f. aggregā-re. Cf. L. congregātio, and late Fr. agrégation.]
1. The action or process of collecting particles into a mass, or particulars into a whole; or of adding one particle to an amount; collection, assemblage, union.
1564. Bauldwin, Mor. Philos. (ed. Palfr.), V. iv. Learning is no other thing but the aggregation of many mens sentences and acts.
1671. J. Webster, Metallogr., iii. 45. By aggregation and apposition of atoms.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, I. III. v. 638. By the continual aggregation of one individual case to another.
1875. Darwin, Insectiv. Plants, vi. 113. The glands were blackened from the aggregation of their protoplasmic contents.
2. The adding of any one to an association as a member thereof; admission, affiliation.
a. 1710. Bp. Bull, Wks., II. 555 (T.). The aggregation, or joyning of one’s self to the worship and service of the only true God.
1796. W. Taylor, in Month. Rev., XX. 537. The second [book] recounts his aggregation to the society of free-masons.
3. The state of being aggregated, assembled or united into a whole; aggregate condition.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 10. Their individuall imperfections being great, they are moreover enlarged by their aggregation.
1794. Sullivan, View of Nat., I. 297. The first state of a body, at least chymically considered, is that in which it is in the greatest possible aggregation.
1870. Tyndall, Heat, v. § 176. 143. The phenomena which accompany changes of the state of aggregation.
4. concr. A whole composed of many particulars; a mass formed by the union of distinct particles; a gathering, assemblage, collection.
1547. Boorde, Breuiary, ii. 2. A fatte matter in the browes the whiche be granuluse aggregacions.
1638. Chillingworth, Relig. Prot., I. ii. § 142. 107. The Church being nothing else but an aggregation of Believers.
1833. Brewster, Nat. Magic, v. 106. Small spherical aggregations of siliceous matter.
1863. Fawcett, Pol. Econ., I. v. 71. Victoria has … advanced from an aggregation of isolated settlements to the position of a prosperous country.
