congress: [16] A congress is literally a ‘coming together’ – hence, a ‘meeting’. The word comes from Latin congressus, which was based on the past participial stem of congredī ‘come together’. This was a compound verb formed from the prefix com- ‘together’ and gradī ‘go, walk’ (a derivative of gradus ‘step’, from which English gets grade, gradual, and graduate). The application of the word to the US legislature dates from the 1770s. => grade, gradual, graduate, progress, transgress
congress (n.)
c. 1400, "body of attendants; also "meeting of armed forces" (mid-15c.); main modern sense of "coming together of people, a meeting" is from 1520s; from Latin congressus "a friendly meeting; a hostile encounter," past participle of congredi "meet with, fight with," from com- "together" (see com-) + gradi "to walk," from gradus "a step" (see grade (n.)).
Sense of "meeting of delegates" is first recorded 1670s. Meaning "sexual union" is from 1580s. Used in reference to the national legislative body of the American states since 1775 (though since 1765 in America as a name for proposed bodies). Congress of Vienna met Nov. 1, 1814, to June 8, 1815, and redrew the map of Europe with an eye to creating a balance of powers after the disruptions of Napoleon.
实用例句
1. Eisenhower used his muscle to persuade Congress to change the law.
艾森豪威尔用他的影响力说服国会修改了该项法律。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The African National Congress threatened to withdraw from the talks.
非洲国民大会威胁要退出会谈。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The American Congress has agreed to forgive Egypt's military debt.
美国国会同意免除埃及的军事债务。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Congress as an institution scores low in public opinion polls.
作为一个公共机构，国会在公众民意调查中得分很低。
来自柯林斯例句
5. He should not commit American troops without the full consent of Congress.
