Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - synod

 noun  Etymology: Middle English sinod, from Late Latin ~us, from Late Greek ~os, from Greek, meeting, assembly, from syn- + hodos way, journey  Date: 14th century  1. an ecclesiastical governing or advisory council: as  a. an assembly of bishops in the Roman Catholic Church  b. the governing assembly of an Episcopal province  c. a Presbyterian governing body ranking between the presbytery and the general assembly  d. a regional or national organization of Lutheran congregations  2. the ecclesiastical district governed by a ~  • ~al adjective