Pl. synedria. Also 8 synhed-; 7 anglicized pl. synedries; 8 in forms assimilated to SANHEDRIM, synhedrim, synedrin. [mod.L., a. Gr. συνίδριον, f. σύνεδρος: see next.] A judicial or representative assembly, a council, consistory; spec. the Jewish SANHEDRIM.
1584. E. Paget, Calvin’s Harm. Evangelists, 5. The Synedrion,… a chosen counsell of the stocke and posteritie of Dauid, whose auctoritie was great.
1590. Nashe, Pasquil’s Apol., I. D j. The Bishoppes … should be throwne downe, and the Iewes Synedrion set vp.
1606. Synedries [see SYNEDRIAN].
a. 1641. Bp. Mountagu, Acts & Mon., v. (1642), 341. Annas the younger,… calleth a Consistory or Synedrion, and citeth James.
1677. Howell’s Vind., in Harl. Misc. (1810), VI. 128. How … uncapable am I to censure the proceedings of that great senate, that high synedrion, wherein the wisdom of the whole state is epitomized?
1728. Chambers, Cycl., Sanhedrin, or Synedrin, among the Ancient Jews.
1775. Adair, Amer. Ind., 7. In their sweltery town-houses, or supposed synhedria. Ibid., 86. If a two-years drought happens, the synhedrim … convene in a body, and make proper enquiry into the true cause of their calamities.
1808. Mitford, Hist. Greece, xxxv. § 1. IV. 238. Seventy-five cities, of importance enough to have each its representative in the congress, or, in the original term synedrium, which assembled at Athens.
1880. Encycl. Brit., XIII. 424/1. The [Jewish] synedrium at that time was a political and not a scholastic authority.
1897. R. H. Story, Apostolic Ministry Scot. Ch., i. 21. The synedrion held its meetings in the building used by the synagogue for its religious services.
