a meeting of individuals, whether friendly or hostile; an encounter.-a sudden encounter; a collision; a shock; -- said of things.-the coming together of a male and female in sexual commerce; the act of coition.-a gathering or assembly; a conference.-a formal assembly, as of princes, deputies, representatives, envoys, or commissioners; esp., a meeting of the representatives of several governments or societies to consider and determine matters of common interest.-the collective body of senators and representatives of the people of a nation, esp. of a republic, constituting the chief legislative body of the nation.-the lower house of the spanish cortes, the members of which are elected for three years.