noun
- plural of collegium; associations or corporations, especially in ancient Rome
Usage: historical; formal
Examples
- The Roman collegia were professional associations that regulated various trades.
- Ancient collegia served both religious and commercial purposes.
- Membership in certain collegia was restricted by law.
- The collegia played important roles in Roman social organization.
- Archaeological evidence reveals the structure of various Roman collegia.
- Some collegia functioned as burial societies for their members.