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n. pl. com·mu·ni·ties 1. a. A group of people living in the same locality and under the same government. b. The district or locality in which such a group lives. 2. a. A group of people having common interests: the scientific community; the international business community. b. A group viewed as forming a distinct segment of society: the gay community; the community of color. 3. a. Similarity or identity: a community of interests. b. Sharing, participation, and fellowship: a sense of community. 4. Society as a whole; the public. 5. a. A group of organisms interacting with one another and with the environment in a specific region. b. The region occupied by a group of interacting organisms. [Middle English communite, citizenry, from Old French, from Latin commūnitās, fellowship, from commūnis, common; see COMMON.] |
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