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synoecism

noun syn·oe·cism \ sə̇ˈnēˌsizəm \
variants: or less commonly synoicism \-nȯiˌkizəm, -nȯiˌsi-\

Definition of synoecism

plural -s
1 : a joining together : union; specifically : a uniting of several towns or villages into one community (as in ancient Greece)
2 : the condition of being synoecious

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Origin and Etymology of synoecism

Greek synoikismos wedlock, act of combining into one city-state, from synoikizein

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