rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: con-
Latin

con-

together, with; sometimes thoroughly

Forms

  • con-
  • com- — Used before certain consonants, especially b, p, and m.
  • col- — The final consonant changed before l.
  • cor- — The final consonant changed before r.
  • co- — The final consonant was lost in some combinations.

Origin

From Latin cum, “with,” and an older form com-.

Note

Togetherness could extend to completeness. Not every word containing this prefix retains an obvious “with” meaning.

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verb / adjective

congregate

KAHNG-grih-gayt/ˈkɑːŋɡrɪɡeɪt/

Gathering together in a group.

The friends congregate around the park bench.

Four friends approach and come together around a single small park bench; open conversational gestures show joining one group.
Etymology
conLatintogether, with; sometimes thoroughly
+gregateLatinto gather into a flock

The pieces evoke herding together into a flock. Applied to people, that image becomes gathering into an assembly or simply coming together as a group.

In context

The Local Project4:48
where people can congregate almost like an outdoor sitting room. Something that encourages you to come together and relax.
Architect Steven Harris’ 5 Non-Negotiables When Designing His Own Home (Design Masterclass)

More examples

  • Birds congregated around the feeder.
  • The congregation uses a large hall for congregate dining.
  • Small groups began congregating outside the theater.

Forms

congregate · congregates · congregated · congregating

congregation noun — a gathering of people

Similar words

assemble
Assemble brings people or things together; congregate often describes people gathering of their own accord.
converge
Converge means approach the same point; congregate means form a group there.