classis

American  

[klas-is] / ˈklæs ɪs /

noun

plural

classes

1. the organization of pastors and elders that governs a group of local churches; a presbytery.

2. the group of churches governed by such an organization.

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classis British  

/ ˈklæsɪs /

noun

1. a governing body of elders or pastors

2. the district or group of local churches directed by such a body

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Etymology

Origin of classis

1585–95; < Latin: class

Example Sentences

The third classis quarrelled with the corrections of the second, and declared for a new model.

From Notes and Queries, Number 212, November 19, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Bell, George

The next higher power, administrative or judicial, resided in the classis, consisting of all the ministers in a given district and one elder from each parish therein, and corresponding to the presbytery.

From Narratives of New Netherland, 1609-1664 by Jameson, J. Franklin (John Franklin)

Rev. Chauncey D. Murray was the next pastor of the Market Street church, the classis installing him March 10, 1861, and he was succeeded in 1863 by Rev. Jacob C. Dutcher.

From The Kirk on Rutgers Farm by Stone, Pauline

Prodromus systematis mammalium et avium additis terminis zoographicis utriuque classis, pp. xviii + 302, C. Salfeld.

From Genera and Subgenera of Chipmunks by White, John A.

There was a praefectus classis Comensis under the late empire, and it was regarded as a strong fortress.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 7 "Columbus" to "Condottiere" by Various