Legal Definitions - conventicle

Definition: Conventicle (kən-ven-ti-kuhl) is a gathering or assembly that is either clandestine or unlawful in nature. It can also refer to a secret meeting for religious worship that is not sanctioned by law. Additionally, it can be a place where such meetings are held.

• A group of rebels held a conventicle in the abandoned warehouse to plan their next move.
• The Puritans held conventicles in secret to avoid persecution from the Church of England.
• The underground church in China holds conventicles in private homes to avoid government scrutiny.

The examples illustrate the different contexts in which the term "conventicle" can be used. The first example shows how it can refer to an unlawful gathering, while the second and third examples demonstrate its use in a religious context. In both cases, the meetings are held in secret to avoid persecution or scrutiny from authorities.