synoecism

noun

syn·​oe·​cism

sə̇ˈnēˌsizəm

variants or less commonly synoicism

-nȯiˌkizəm,

-nȯiˌsi-

plural -s

1

: a joining together : union

specifically : a uniting of several towns or villages into one community (as in ancient Greece)

2

: the condition of being synoecious

Word History

Etymology

Greek synoikismos wedlock, act of combining into one city-state, from synoikizein

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