Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SYN'OD, n. [Gr. συνοδος, a convention συν and οδος, way.]

1. In church history, a council or meeting of ecclesiastics consult on matters of religion. Synods are of four kinds, 1. General or ecumenical, which are composed of bishops from different nations. 2. National, in which the bishops of one nation only meet, to determine points of doctrine or discipline. 3. Provincial, in which the bishops of one province only meet. This is called a convocation. 4. Diocesan. In Scotland, a synod is composed of several adjoining presbyteries. The members are the ministers, and a ruling elder from each parish. A synod in the United States is constituted in like manner as in Scotland.
2. A meeting, convention or council; as, a synod of gods. Let us call to synod all the blest. – Milton.
3. In astronomy, a conjunction of two or more planets or stars in the same optical place of the heavens. – Encyc.