Collins English-English Dictionary

society [sə'saɪətɪ]

1. 1. n the totality of social relationships among organized groups of human beings or animals

2. 2. n a system of human organizations generating distinctive cultural patterns and institutions and usually providing protection, security, continuity, and a national identity for its members

3. 3. n such a system with reference to its mode of social and economic organization or its dominant class

   middle-class society

4. 4. n those with whom one has companionship

5. 5. n an organized group of people associated for some specific purpose or on account of some common interest

   a learned society

6. 6. n the privileged class of people in a community, esp as considered superior or fashionable

7. 7. n (as modifier)

   a society woman

8. 8. n the social life and intercourse of such people

   to enter society as a debutante

9. 9. n companionship; the fact or state of being together with someone else

   I enjoy her society

10. 10. n [ecology] a small community of plants within a larger association

11. 11. n [Etymology] C16: via Old French societé from Latin societas, from socius a comrade