Lewis & Short

† ecclēsĭa (ēcclĕsĭa, Sedul. 5, 358; Venant. Carm. 3, 6, 24; and ĕclĕsĭa, Paul. Nol. Carm. 15, 117; 28, 32), ae, f., = ἐκκλησία, an assembly of the (Greek) people.

  1. I. Prop.: et ecclesia consentiente, senate and people, in the free cities of Greece: bule et ecclesia, Plin. et Traj. Ep. 111, 1.
  2. II. Transf.
    1. A. In eccl. Lat.
      1. 1. A religious assembly of Christians, a Christian congregation, a church (eccl. Lat.; very freq.): die ecclesiae, etc., Vulg. Matt. 18, 17; id. Philem. 2; Aug. Ep. 190, 5, 19.
      2. 2. The Church, the whole body of believers: Christus dilexit ecclesiam, Vulg. Eph. 5, 25: Dei, id. Phil. 3, 6; Aug. Serm. 137, 6; so, in coelo, Vulg. Heb. 12, 23.
      3. 3. A Christian place of assembly, a church: ut nomine ecclesiae, id est populi qui continetur, significamus locum qui continet, Aug. Ep. 190, 5, 19; cf. also Amm. 21, 2 fin.; id. 28, 6 fin.
    2. B. An assembly, a meeting in gen., Aus. Ep. 24, 93.