syn·od /ˈsɪnəd ||ˌɑd/
 宗教會議,大會,會議
 Syn·od n.
 1. Eccl. Hist. An ecclesiastic council or meeting to consult on church matters.
 Note: ☞ Synods are of four kinds: 1. General, or ecumenical, which are composed of bishops from different nations; -- commonly called general council. 2. National, composed of bishops of one nation only. 3. Provincial, in which the bishops of only one province meet; -- called also convocations. 4. Diocesan, a synod in which the bishop of the diocese or his representative presides.
     Among Presbyterians, a synod is composed of several adjoining presbyteries. The members are the ministers and a ruling elder from each parish.
 2. An assembly or council having civil authority; a legislative body.
 It hath in solemn synods been decreed,
 Both by the Syracusians and ourselves,
 To admit no traffic to our adverse towns.   --Shak.
 Parent of gods and men, propitious Jove!
 And you, bright synod of the powers above.   --Dryden.
 3. Astron. A conjunction of two or more of the heavenly bodies. [R.]
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 synod
      n : a council convened to discuss ecclesiastical business