Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

1. a body of people or families living together and sharing everything
2. the smallest administrative district of several European countries

Verb

1. receive Communion, in the Catholic church
2. communicate intimately with; be in a state of heightened, intimate receptivity
   • He seemed to commune with nature