group

group [gro͞op]

n.

[Fr groupe < It gruppo, a knot, lump, group < Gmc * kruppa, round mass: see CROP]

1. a number of persons or things gathered closely together and forming a recognizable unit; cluster; aggregation; band [a group of houses]

2. a collection of objects or figures forming a design or part of a design, as in a work of art

3. a number of persons or things classified together because of common characteristics, community of interests, etc.

4. Chem.

a) a unit consisting of two or more joined atoms within a molecule; esp., a RADICAL (n. 3)

b) a number of elements with similar properties, forming one of the vertical columns of the periodic table

c) a number of elements having similar chemical reactions

5. Geol. a stratigraphic unit consisting of two or more formations

6. Math. a closed set of elements having an associative binary operation (usually multiplication), an identity element (I × a = a × I = a), and an inverse element for each element (a × 1/a = 1/a × a = I)

☆ 7. a military aircraft unit; specif., in the U.S. Air Force, a subdivision of a wing, composed of two or more squadrons

☆ 8. U.S. Mil. a unit made up of two or more battalions or squadrons

vt., vi.

to assemble or form into a group or groups

adj.

of, characteristic of, or involving a group [group attitudes]

SYN.- GROUP is the basic, general word expressing the simple idea of an assembly of persons, animals, or things without further connotation; HERD¹ is applied to a group of cattle, sheep, or similar large animals feeding, living, or moving together; FLOCK¹, to goats, sheep, or birds; DROVE¹, to cattle, hogs, or sheep; PACK¹, to hounds or wolves; PRIDE, to lions; SWARM¹, to insects; SCHOOL¹, to fish, porpoises, whales, or the like; BEVY, to quails; COVEY, to partridges or quails; FLIGHT¹, to birds flying together. In extended applications, FLOCK¹ connotes guidance and care, HERD¹ and PACK¹ are used contemptuously of people, swarm suggests a thronging, and BEVY and COVEY are used of girls or women