commune
/'kɔmju:n/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A group of people living together and sharing possessions and responsibilities: A commune is an intentional community where people live together, often sharing work, income, and property.
- The smallest unit of local government in some countries: In places like France, Belgium, and Italy, a commune is the smallest administrative division, similar to a township or municipality.
Verb (intransitive):
- To communicate intimately or share one's deepest thoughts and feelings: To commune is to feel a deep, often wordless, connection with someone or something.
- To receive the Eucharist/Holy Communion (archaic or formal): In a Christian, particularly Catholic, context, to commune can mean to participate in the sacrament of Communion.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- They left the city to start an artist's commune in the countryside.
- The French commune of Chambon-sur-Lignon is famous for its history of sheltering refugees.
- Verb:
- She would sit by the lake for hours, communing with the peaceful surroundings.
- (Archaic) The faithful would commune at the altar each Sunday.
Advanced Usage
- "To commune with nature": To feel a deep, spiritual, or reflective connection with the natural world.
- Hiking alone allows him to commune with nature and clear his mind.
- "To commune with oneself": To engage in deep, private thought or introspection; to reflect inwardly.
- He needed a quiet moment to commune with himself and make a difficult decision.
Variants and Related Words
- Communal (adjective): Shared by all members of a community; for common use.
- The apartment building has a communal garden.
- Communication (noun): The act of sharing or exchanging information, ideas, or feelings.
- Community (noun): A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
Synonyms
- Noun (group): Collective, cooperative, kibbutz, intentional community.
- Verb (connect): Connect, bond, empathize, relate.
Related Phrases
- Phrasal Verb: Commune with: This is the standard construction for the verb. It is always followed by 'with' + the object (person, nature, God, etc.).
- She found it easy to commune with animals.
- The poet sought to commune with the spirit of the ancient forest.
Related Idioms
- (To be) in communion with: To be in a state of close, sympathetic relationship or understanding with someone or something.
- The meditative practice put her in communion with her inner thoughts.
Noun
- a body of people or families living together and sharing everything
- the smallest administrative district of several European countries
Verb
- receive Communion, in the Catholic church
- communicate intimately with; be in a state of heightened, intimate receptivity
- He seemed to commune with nature