the act of constituting a political unity out of a number of separate states or colonies or provinces so that each member retains the management of its internal affairs
an organization formed by merging several groups or parties
(Christianity) the doctrine of the ecumenical movement that promotes cooperation and better understanding among different religious denominations: aimed at universal Christian unity
a movement promoting union between religions (especially between Christian churches)
the learned profession that is mastered by graduate study in a law school and that is responsible for the judicial system; "he studied law at Yale"
a rule or body of rules of conduct inherent in human nature and essential to or binding upon human society
a generalization that describes recurring facts or events in nature; "the laws of thermodynamics"
legal document setting forth rules governing a particular kind of activity; "there is a law against kidnapping"
the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order"
an adviser to the court on some matter of law who is not a party to the case; usually someone who wants to influence the outcome of a lawsuit involving matters of wide public interest